Differences in HIV type 1 neutralization breadth in 2 geographically distinct cohorts in Africa

Abstract

To investigate whether distinct populations have differing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) neutralizing antibody responses, we compared 20 women from Tanzania's HIV Superinfection Study (HISIS) cohort, who were infected multiple HIV subtypes, and 22 women from the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) cohort, who were infected exclusively with HIV subtype C. By 2 years after infection, 35% of HISIS subjects developed neutralization breadth, compared with 9% of CAPRISA subjects (P = .0131). Cumulative viral loads between 3 and 12 months were higher in the HISIS group (P = .046) and strongly associated with breadth (P < .0001). While viral load was the strongest predictor, other factors may play a role, as the odds of developing breadth remained higher in HISIS even after correction for viral load.

Keywords: Africa; HIV genetic subtypes; broadly neutralizing antibodies; cohorts; viral load.