Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets
Published on: September 6, 2019
Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 in seronegative infants born to HIV-1-infected mothers
J A Vázquez Pérez1, M C Basualdo Sigales, G Reyes-Terán
1Unidad de Servicios Para Diagnóstico y Referencia en VIH, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UNAM/Secretaría de Salud del DF, México D.F. joevazpe@prodigy.net.mx
Background:
Some individuals repeatedly exposed to Human Immunodeficiency Virus do not seroconvert and are resistant to HIV infection. Here, in a pediatric cohort of HIV seronegative infants born of HIV-infected mothers, we have studied eight non-breastfed children in whom viral DNA was detected in their PBMC. Our objective was to assess whether silent infection in these children can be explained by the presence of integrated viral DNA.
Methods:
The presence of viral DNA was corroborated by nested PCR with primers for gag and the nef/LTR regions of HIV-1. Integration of HIV DNA into the host genome was assessed by an Alu-LTR PCR. Amplicons were sequenced and phylogenetic analyzes were done.
Results:
HIV-1 DNA was detected in the earliest available PBMC sample from all eight infants, and two of them tested positive for HIV DNA at 2 years of age. Nested PCR resulted in the amplification of gag, nef/LTR and Alu-LTR fragments, which demostrated that HIV-1 DNA was integrated in the host cell genome. Each individual has a characteristic sequence pattern and is different from the LTR sequence of HXB2 prototype virus and other Mexican isolates.
Conclusion:
HIV-1 DNA was observed in PBMC from HIV exposed seronegative children in this pediatric cohort.
Related Concept Videos
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

