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HIV seronegativity in an infant with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

J M Quiñonez1, R E Begue, R W Steele

  • 1Louisiana State University School of Medicine and Children's Hospital, New Orleans, USA.

Southern Medical Journal
|September 22, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Infants can have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection without detectable antibodies. Diagnosis requires methods like DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) when screening tests are negative, especially in cases of opportunistic infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in infants presents unique diagnostic challenges.
  • Serological tests like ELISA and Western blot are standard for HIV diagnosis but can be negative in early or atypical cases.

Observation:

  • A case of an infant with progressive HIV infection and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is presented.
  • The infant remained seronegative for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies until 10 months of age, despite documented HIV-1 infection via DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Findings:

  • This case highlights the existence of seronegative HIV infection in infants.
  • HIV-1 DNA PCR confirmed infection earlier than serological antibody tests.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider seronegative HIV infection in infants presenting with opportunistic infections, even with negative antibody screening.
  • Diagnostic approaches should include molecular (PCR) and antigen-based tests when serology is inconclusive to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

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