Human immunodeficiency viruses types 1 and 2 infection among replacement blood donors in Mumbai (Bombay).

Between 1993-96, blood donated by 12,235 replacement blood donors was screened by various Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays for detecting antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Viruses types 1 and 2 according to the guidelines specified by Indian--Food and Drug Administration. 222 replacement blood donors (1.81%) were found to be seropositive for antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus types 1 and 2. Furthermore, the ImmunoComb II HIV 1 & 2 BiSpot rapid sandwich ELISA in a comb format was used for differentially identifying HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 infection among these blood donors in Mumbai. Our data indicates that there is a low seroprevalence of HIV-1-2 infection among replacement blood donors in Mumbai (Bombay). Among them, while HIV-1 is still the predominant virus, dual HIV-1-2 and HIV-2 only infections are steadily increasing.

Detection of antibodies to HIV in saliva.

BACKGROUND: Saliva has been recommended as an alternative non-invasive specimen for detection of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of the inherent disadvantages of using serum for such testing. METHODS: In a double-blind study, paired serum and saliva specimens were collected from 100 known HIV antibody seropositive and 100 seronegative individuals. The serum was tested in the conventional way while saliva was tested after modifying the routinely used serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay so as to detect antibodies to HIV from saliva. RESULTS: The sensitivity of saliva for HIV antibody detection using the modified test protocol was found to be 95% by GENELAVIA MIXT ELISA and 97% by DETECT-HIV ELISA, while the specificity for both was 100%. Identical results were obtained even after 7 months of storage of the saliva at 4 degrees C without any preservatives. CONCLUSION: Saliva is a safe and cost-effective alternative to serum for HIV antibody detection for most surveillance purposes but not for diagnostic purposes.

Increasing prevalence of HIV-2 and dual HIV-1-2 infections among patients attending various outdoor patient departments in Mumbai (Bombay).

Between 1993-96, a serological study was carried out for differentially identifying HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections among the high risk group persons attending the various outdoor patient departments of BYL Nair Municipal Hospital, Mumbai. This study indicates that although HIV-1 is still the predominant virus among the high risk HIV infected persons in Mumbai, dual HIV-1-2 infections are increasing especially among promiscuous heterosexuals and female commercial sex workers. Increases in HIV-2 infections were observed later than dual HIV-1-2 infections, indicating that it is the HIV-1 infected individuals who through continued high risk behavior got infected by HIV-2.

Cellular and humoral factors in colostrum of HIV infected and uninfected lactating mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cellular and humoral factors in colostrum from HIV infected and uninfected lactating mothers. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: Maternity Ward. METHODS: Colostrum was collected from 130 mothers (62 HIV seropositives and 68 HIV seronegatives). These colostrum samples were tested for total cell count, cell viability, differential count, phagocytic activity of macrophages, 'T' cell counts, IgA, IgM and IgG levels. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in the phagocytosis and 'T' cell number (p <0.001) and in the IgA and IgG levels (p<0. 05) in the colostrum obtained from HIV seropositive mothers as compared to HIV seronegative ones. CONCLUSION: Some of the cellular and humoral factors are reduced in colostrum samples obtained from HIV seropositives as compared to normals.

Humoral and cell mediated immune responses in patient with tuberculous meningitis.

A study was carried out to find out the humoral and cell mediated immunity levels in patients with TBM and healthy controls. For humoral immunity, the amounts of immunoglobulins--IgG, IgM and IgA were quantitated by SRID method. For cell mediated immunity, percentages of total T cells, Th cells and Ts cells and the ratio of Th:Ts cells was studied. Hypergammaglobulinemia of all three immunoglobulins was observed together with a decrease in the total T cells and Th cells, and a lower Th:Ts cell ratio indicating a deficiency or a defect in the immune system of patients infected with TBM.

Increasing prevalence of dual HIV-1-2 infections among voluntary blood donors in Mumbai (Bombay).

Between 1993 and 1996, we carried out a serological screening for differentially identifying HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections among the high risk group persons admitted in the various wards of BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai, using the ImmunoComb kit. This study indicates that although HIV-1 is the predominant virus prevalent in Mumbai, dual HIV-1-2 and HIV-2 infections are gradually increasing.

Increasing prevalence of HIV-2 and dual HIV-1-2 infections among high risk group hospital admitted patients in Mumbai (Bombay).

Between 1993 and 1996, we carried out a serological screening for differentially identifying HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections among the high risk group persons admitted in the various wards of BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai, using the ImmunoComb kit. This study indicates that although HIV-1 is the predominant virus prevalent in Mumbai, dual HIV-1-2 and HIV-2 infections are gradually increasing.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection among patients with sexually transmitted diseases in Bombay.

BACKGROUND: Patients with sexually transmitted diseases form a particularly vulnerable group for infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), and serological surveillance is a sensitive tool for assessing the prevalence of this disease. METHODS: We carried out a serological survey for the detection of antibody to HIV-1 among persons belonging to various high-risk groups in Bombay from 1987 to 1989. Among these were 599 patients with various sexually transmitted diseases. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (5.2%) were found to be HIV-1 antibody seropositive by the ELISA and Western blot tests. An increase in HIV-1 antibody seropositivity among both the male and female patients with sexually transmitted diseases was detected from 1987 to 1989 and seropositivity was maximally associated with condylomata acuminata, genital herpes and chancroid. CONCLUSION: HIV-1 is established in this sentinel population and needs to be controlled vigorously.

PIP: Patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are especially vulnerable to HIV infection. 355 heterosexuals with multiple partners, 6 homosexuals, and 238 female sex workers with STDs in Bombay were surveyed serologically to determine the extent to which HIV-1 may be disseminated within their subpopulation. ELISA and Western blot test results found that the seroprevalence of antibody to HIV-1 increased from 1.3% in 1987 to 5.3% in 1988 and 7% in 1989. The increase in seropositivity occurred among both sexes and was maximally associated with condylomata acuminata, genital herpes, and chancroid. These findings clearly indicate the HIV-1 is established in this population and urgently needs to be controlled.

Serological surveillance for HIV-l infection in Bombay.

BACKGROUND: Screening of populations for the antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus has been recommended to be a practical method for assessing the prevalence of the infection and its potential for spread. METHODS: Between 1987 and 1989 we carried out a serological survey for the detection of antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1, using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, to screen 2123 persons belonging to different high-risk groups from various parts of Bombay. RESULTS: Eighty-four repeatedly positive samples were subjected to the Western blot test for confirmation and 58 were found to be positive-4 (0.6%) out of 670 in 1987, 9(1.2%) out of 740 in 1988 and 45 (6.3%) out of 713 in 1989. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection has already spread in the cityof Bombay among the various high-risk groups and that its prevalence rose between 1987 and 1989.