In vitro anti-HIV-1 activity in cervicovaginal secretions from pregnant and nonpregnant women

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether cervicovaginal secretions inhibit HIV-1 infectivity in an in vitro model, and estimate concentration of immune mediators. STUDY DESIGN: We enrolled midtrimester pregnant and regularly menstruating (nonpregnant) women. Cervicovaginal lavage was collected at 2 visits and incubated with HIV-1 and TZM-bl cells. Infectivity was compared with positive controls. Concentrations of immune mediators were compared between groups. RESULTS: At enrollment, cervicovaginal lavage inhibited IIIB virus 88.2% and 82.4%, and BaL virus 72.8% and 77.9%, among pregnant (n = 13) and nonpregnant women (n = 9), respectively. At second visit, cervicovaginal lavage inhibited IIIB 89.7% and 82.5%, and BaL 77.4% and 69.9% among pregnant (n = 15) and nonpregnant women (n = 8), respectively (all P <= .04). Adjusting for body mass index, race, and protein content of cervicovaginal lavage, antimicrobials were suppressed but cytokines and chemokines were not markedly different in pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Cervicovaginal secretions significantly suppress HIV-1 infectivity in this model. Concentrations of certain immune mediators are altered in pregnancy.