Abstract
Thirteen infants of IV drug-addicted mothers with cord blood positive for HIV antibody were studied at 1-3 mo. Intervals for 3-16 mos. Thus far, 3 manifest HIV infection; 4 passive transfer of HIV antibody; and 6 indeterminate. Also studied were 2 HIV congenitally infected children (2 1/2 & 3 1/2 yrs.) and 9 adults.
We sought to determine the significance of antibodies reactive, with various, HIV structural proteins. Serum/plasma (sample/cutoff [S/CO]); 2) Western blot; and 3) competitive enzyme immunoassay using HIV recombinant antigens (ENV/CORE)(titer). Antigen was determined by the Abbott HIV antigen test.
Soon after birth, the results of all infant antibody tests closely paralleled those of the mothers. In infants with passive tranfer, the EIA(S/CO), ENV and CORE titers decreased in parallel, with the time of disappearance proportionate to the levels at birth. Infants with HIV infection manifested symptoms within the first few mos. (3-7) of life, and had lower EIA(S/CO), ENV and CORE titers than adults with HIV infection. While EIA(S/CO) and ENV titers remained stable during the study period in both infants and adults, there was loss of detectable antibody to CORE proteins, earlier in infants than adults; and this was generally associated with detection of antigen in both. Infants with HIV infection had lower CORE titers (x5.1) than adults with HIV infection (x4868), but comparable to adults with AIDS (x7.1) Clinical decline in infants and adults consistently paralleled reduction of CORE antibody titer and the concommitant detection of antigen.
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Cohen, F., Webber, J., Moore, E. et al. LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF HIV ANTIBODY AND ANTIGEN IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 310 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00856
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00856