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Communicable diseases

HIV Infection May Reduce Antibody Transfer to Babies

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Women infected with HIV may transfer lower levels of protective antibodies to their babies during pregnancy, making them more vulnerable to infections, according to a study published in 2004. The research, conducted by Shahana Choudhury and her team at Meharry Medical College, found that mothers with the lowest CD4 positive T-cell counts were more likely to have lower antibody levels, emphasizing the importance of antiviral medication during pregnancy. Babies born to HIV-infected mothers may also require earlier vaccinations against measles and varicella to reduce their risk of infection.

Key Takeaways:

  • HIV infection may reduce the level of antibodies transferred to babies during pregnancy, making them more susceptible to infections.
  • Mothers with the lowest CD4 positive T-cell counts are more likely to have lower antibody levels.
  • Babies born to HIV-infected mothers may need to receive measles and varicella vaccinations earlier than usual to reduce their risk of infection.
  • The study found that the antibody levels to measles were significantly lower in HIV-infected women during pregnancy and in their babies.
  • Women infected with HIV may pass on just as much immunity to varicella as uninfected women do.
  • The study suggests that natural exposure to varicella viruses may result in a greater level of immunity being passed on to the baby.

Statistics:

  • 44th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) hosted the study's presentation on October 31, 2004.
  • The study focused on 100 women, including 50 HIV-infected and 50 uninfected women.
  • The study found that all babies in the study, regardless of their mother's HIV status, lost protective antibodies 4-6 months after birth.
  • 90% of cases of measles in the United States occur in foreign-born individuals.
  • The National Center for Research Resources in the U.S. National Institutes of Health funded the study through grants.

Sources:

  • NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net (2004, November 22)
  • Shahana Choudhury, Meharry Medical College (schoudhury@mmc.edu)
  • 44th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) (October 31, 2004)
  • National Center for Research Resources, U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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