Cyclic changes in HIV shedding from the female genital tract during the menstrual cycle

J Infect Dis. 2013 May 15;207(10):1616-20. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jit063. Epub 2013 Feb 15.

Abstract

Factors increasing genital human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) shedding may increase female-to-male HIV transmission risk. We examined HIV shedding in 67 women with HIV type 1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 coinfection, during 2 menstrual cycles. Shedding occurred in 60%, 48%, and 54% of samples during the follicular, periovulatory, and luteal phases, respectively (P = .01). Shedding declined after menses until ovulation, with a slope -0.054 log10 copies/swab/day (P < .001), corresponding to a change of approximately 0.74 log10 copies between peak and nadir levels. Shedding increased during the luteal phase only among women with CD4 counts of <350 cells/µL. In reproductive-aged women, shedding frequency and magnitude are greatest immediately following menses and lowest at ovulation.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Coinfection / pathology
  • Coinfection / virology
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Female
  • Genitalia, Female / virology*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity*
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Luteal Phase
  • Menstrual Cycle / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Virus Shedding*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • RNA, Viral