Lower genital tract cytokine profiles in South African women living with HIV: influence of mucosal sampling

Background Young South African women are faced with a dual epidemic of HIV and obesity, placing them at a high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). We sought to determine the prevalence of CVD risk factors in a cohort of reproductive-aged South African women living with HIV (WLHIV). Methods While the main purpose of an ongoing intervention study is the reduction of cardiovascular disease through the integration of CVD screening and prevention in the HIV management plan for women of reproductive age (ISCHeMiA trial), we present the prevalence of risk factors for CVD in this cohort of young women at baseline. Sociodemographic, conventional CVD risk factors, HIV-related factors and self body image perception were assessed through study questionnaires and standardized clinical and laboratory procedures. Results Of the 372 WLHIV enrolled from November 2018 to May 2019, 97% had received efavirenz-based antiretroviral treatment (ART) for at least 1 year and 67.5% (248/367) of women were overweight or obese at the time of enrolment. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 17.6% (95%CI 11.6–22.8) at a median age of 35 years (IQR 30.5–40.5). A significant proportion of women had abnormally low levels of high-density lipoprotein (43.2%, 80/185) and elevated levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (59.5%, 110/185). Seventy five percent of overweight women with an increased waist circumference reported to be satisfied with their body image. Conclusions The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome, obesity and elevated markers of inflammation in young South African WLHIV, underscores the need for a proactive integrated management approach to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in low and middle income settings.

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Association between injectable progestin-only contraceptives and HIV acquisition and HIV target cell frequency in the female genital tract in South African women: a prospective cohort study

The Lancet Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/s1473-3099(15)00429-6 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 441-448 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Elizabeth H Byrne ◽

Melis N Anahtar ◽

Kathleen E Cohen ◽

Amber Moodley ◽

Nikita Padavattan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

South African ◽

Target Cell ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

African Women ◽

Cell Frequency ◽

Hiv Acquisition ◽

South African Women ◽

Female Genital

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Maternal HIV infection is associated with distinct systemic cytokine profiles throughout pregnancy in South African women

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89551-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Charlene Akoto ◽

Shane A. Norris ◽

Joris Hemelaar

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

First Trimester ◽

African Women ◽

Cytokine Profiles ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Maternal Hiv ◽

Maternal Hiv Infection ◽

Adverse Pregnancy ◽

South African Women ◽

Hiv Negative

AbstractMaternal HIV infection is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, but the mechanisms remain unknown. The course of pregnancy is regulated by immunological processes and HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) impact key immune mechanisms, which may disrupt the immune programme of pregnancy. We evaluated a broad range of systemic cytokines at each trimester of pregnancy in 56 women living with HIV (WLHIV) and 68 HIV-negative women, who were enrolled in a prospective pregnancy cohort study in Soweto, South Africa. The pro-inflammatory cytokine IP-10 was detected in each trimester in all WLHIV, which was significantly more than in HIV-negative women. The anti-viral cytokine IFNλ1 was detected more frequently in WLHIV, whereas IFNβ and IFNλ2/3 were detected more frequently in HIV-negative women. Th1 cytokines IL-12 and IL-12p70, Th2 cytokine IL-5, and Th17 cytokine IL-17A were detected more frequently in WLHIV throughout pregnancy. Il-6, IL-9, and IL-10 were more commonly detected in WLHIV in the first trimester. Trends of increased detection of Th1 (IL-2, IL-12p70), Th2 (IL-4, Il-5, Il-13) and Th17 (IL-17A, Il-17F, IL-21, IL-22) cytokines were associated with small-for-gestational-age babies. Our findings indicate that maternal HIV/ART is associated with distinct systemic cytokine profiles throughout pregnancy.

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Correlates of Safety Strategy Use Among South African Women Living With HIV and at Risk of Intimate Partner Violence

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/10778012211021108 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107780122110211

Author(s):

Leslie Lauren Brown ◽

Jessica Mayson Perkins ◽

Jami Lynn Hargrove ◽

Kathryn Elenor Pahl ◽

Phepo Mogoba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

South African ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Strategy Use ◽

African Women ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

South African Women ◽

Safety Strategy

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV are correlated and endemic in South Africa. However, safety strategy use to prevent IPV among HIV-positive women is understudied. This study assesses correlates of specific safety strategy use among 166 Black South African women recently experiencing IPV and testing positive for HIV. Associations were observed between consultation with formal (i.e., counselors, clergy, IPV specialists) and informal networks (i.e., friends/family) and participant language ( isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho, and English), past year IPV, and engaging in HIV care. Future HIV-IPV programs should consider how characteristics of different IPV safety strategies may influence strategy uptake and ultimately HIV care.

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