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Evidence for both Intermittent and Persistent Compartmentalization of HIV-1 in the Female Genital Tract

Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: Most HIV-1 infections in sub-Saharan Africa are acquired heterosexually through the genital mucosa. Understanding the properties of viruses replicating in the female genital tract, and whether these properties differ from those of more commonly studied viruses replicating in the blood, is therefore important. Using longitudinal CVL and plasma-derived sequences from four HIV-1 subtype C-infected women, we found fewer viral migrations from the genital tract to plasma than in the opposite direction, suggesting a mucosal sieve effect from the genital tract to the blood compartment. Evidence for both persistent and intermittent compartmentalization between the genital tract and plasma viruses during chronic infection was detected in two of four individuals, perhaps explaining previously conflicting findings. In cases where compartmentalization occurred, comparison of CVL- and plasma-derived HIV sequences indicated that distinct features of viral populations in the CVL may affect the efficacy of microbicides and vaccines designed to provide mucosal immunity.
DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00311-19
Authors: Batsirai M. Mabvakure, Bronwen E. Lambson, Kavisha Ramdayal, Lindi Masson, Dale Kitchin, Mushal Allam, Salim Abdool Karim, Carolyn Williamson, Jo-Ann Passmore, Darren P. Martin, Cathrine Scheepers, Penny L. Moore, Gordon W. Harkins, Lynn Morris
Institutions: National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Witwatersrand, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, University of the Western Cape, University of Cape Town, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa
Language: English
Subfield: Virology
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2921747626
FWCI: 1.263
Cites: 74
Cited by: 12
Related to: 10