HIV-1 and immunological changes during pregnancy: A comparison between HIV-1-seropositive and HIV-1-seronegative women in Nairobi, Kenya

Marleen Temmerman, Nico Nagelkerke, Job Bwayo, Ephantus N. Chomba, Jackoniah Ndinya-Achola, Peter Piot

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To assess changes in the proportion of CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocyte profiles during pregnancy, at delivery and postpartum, and to determine whether HIV-1 infection affects the normal profile. Design and methods: A total of 416 pregnant HIV-1-infected women and an age and parity-matched HIV-seronegative group of 407 pregnant women were enrolled into a prospective study on the impact of HIV-1 infection on pregnancy. Maternal blood was obtained for lymphocyte subset determination at enrolment, delivery and 6 weeks postpartum. Whole blood sample drawn in EDTA-containing tubes were used to determine T-helper/inducer (CD4) and T-suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8) cells by direct immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies. Results: No relationship was found between gestational age and any immunological variable. The CD4 percentage was lower postpartum than antenatally, in both HIV-1-seropositive and seronegative women, but this was not true for absolute CD4 counts. CD8 absolute counts and percentages were significantly higher postpartum than antenatally. The differences between HIV-1-seropositive and seronegative women in changes over pregnancy in CD4 and CD8 cells and their ratio, were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our findings do not support a short-term synergistic effect of HIV-1 and pregnancy on the immune function as determined by T-lymphocyte subsets.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1057-1060
Number of pages4
JournalAIDS
Volume9
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 1995
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CD4 and CD8 cells
  • HIV-1
  • Pregnancy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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