Antibodies mediating cellular cytotoxicity and neutralization correlate with a better clinical stage in children born to human immunodeficiency virus-infected mothers

Article Abstract:

Children who are born to women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at risk for acquiring the infection. Many of these children go on to develop AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Antibodies against HIV are passed from mother to the fetus during development, and they persist in the child up to 15 months of age. Certain antibodies present on infection-fighting cells can resist or neutralize HIV. It is unclear whether these antibodies that mediate cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) can play a role in resisting the development of HIV infection or AIDS in children. Fifty-eight children whose mothers were HIV-infected were examined to determine if they had antibodies against HIV, and to determine if the presence of antibodies had any effect on infection or disease development. ADCC were found in children, whether or not they were HIV-infected at fifteen months. Of the infected children, those who had AIDS had much lower levels of ADCC. The results suggest that HIV-specific ADCC do not protect children from being infected by the mother, but may be related to the development and extent of AIDS development in HIV-infected children. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prognosis, Disease transmission, AIDS (Disease) in children, Pediatric AIDS (Disease), HIV antibodies

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Analysis of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase gene mutations in infected children treated with zidovudine

Article Abstract:

Children treated for extensive lengths of time with zidovudine for HIV-infection begin to show virus variations which have reduced sensitivity to treatment. In other words, extended use gradually habituates the virus bringing about mutation and making it less responsive to antiretroviral agents. Monthly evaluation of these children along with gene sequencing every four months showed a connection between time of continuation of therapy and the degree of mutation, rather than being connected to the progression of the disease itself.

Evaluation, Drug therapy, HIV patients, Zidovudine, Microbial mutation

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A human monoclonal antibody to HIV-1 gp41 with neutralizing activity against diverse laboratory isolates

Article Abstract:

It may be possible to develop human monoclonal antibodies that would be active against different strains of HIV. Researchers created such an antibody to the gp41 viral envelope protein. This protein does not vary among viral strains as much as other envelope proteins. The antibody was able to neutralize many strains of type B HIV as well as a strain that was resistant to zidovudine (AZT). Human monoclonal antibodies would not cause an immune response as monoclonal antibodies made from mice do.

Viral envelopes, Monoclonal antibodies, Virus inactivation

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