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Maternally transmitted HIV infection in children
M J Cowan1, C Walker, K Culver
1Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco 94143.
AIDS (London, England)
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Diagnosing HIV in infants is complex due to maternal antibodies. Viral cultures are crucial for accurately detecting early HIV infection in newborns born to infected mothers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Infants born to HIV-infected mothers are at high risk for vertical transmission.
- Maternal HIV antibodies can complicate early diagnosis in newborns.
- Accurate early diagnosis is critical for timely intervention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate diagnostic methods for HIV infection in high-risk infants.
- To assess the impact of maternal antibodies on HIV diagnosis in infants.
- To determine the utility of viral cultures for early detection of vertically transmitted HIV.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of 16 infants born to HIV-infected mothers.
- Serological testing for HIV antibodies.
- Virological assays, including HIV viral cultures from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
- Clinical and laboratory assessment for evidence of HIV infection.
Main Results:
- Seven infants showed evidence of HIV infection (seropositive and virus culture-positive).
- Two infants were persistently seropositive with clinical/lab evidence but negative HIV cultures.
- One infant, though HIV antibody-negative, had HIV detected via viral culture.
- Four infants initially showed maternal antibodies (HIV antibody-positive) but later became antibody-negative, indicating false positives.
Conclusions:
- Up to 60% of infants born to HIV-infected mothers may acquire HIV infection.
- Maternal antibodies can lead to false-positive or false-negative HIV diagnoses in infants.
- HIV viral cultures are essential for the early and accurate diagnosis of maternally transmitted HIV infection in infants.