HIV-1, HIV-2, human papillomavirus infection and cervical neoplasia in high-risk African women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection on the prevalence of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in a population of high-risk women in Senegal. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study among 759 female commercial sex workers, including 68 with HIV-1, 58 with HIV-2, 14 with HIV-1 and 2, and 619 without HIV infection. RESULTS: Overall, HPV was detected in 43% of women by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and in 7% by Southern transfer hybridization, with 7.4% of all women having SIL. The mean CD4 count was 820, 1205, and 727 x 10(6)/l for those with HIV-1, HIV-2, and dual HIV-1 and 2 infections, respectively, and 1447 x 10(6)/l for those without HIV infection. Both HIV-1 and HIV-2 were associated with HPV, as detected by PCR [HIV-1 odds ratio (OR), 2.9; 95% confidence interval (Cl), 1.7-4.9; HIV-2 OR, 1.7; 95% Cl, 1.0-2.9]. HIV-2 was also associated with cervical SIL, and although the association between HIV-1 and SIL did not attain statistical significance, a trend was apparent (HIV-1 OR, 1.8; 95% Cl, 0.7-4.7; HIV-2 OR, 2.9; 95% Cl, 1.2-7.2). CONCLUSIONS: Despite less immunosuppression with HIV-2, both HIV-1 and HIV-2 were associated with detection of HPV. HIV-2 was also associated with SIL. Further studies are needed to examine the risks of high-grade SIL and invasive cervical cancer with HIV-1 versus HIV-2 infection.

PIP: Between February 1990 and March 1993, 759 female commercial sex workers who attended sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Dakar, Thies, and Mbour, Senegal, were interviewed and underwent a general physical and detailed gynecologic examination so researchers could ascertain the influence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection on the prevalence of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in this high-risk population. Most lesions were low-grade SIL. 619 had neither HIV-1 nor HIV-2 infection. 9%, 8%, and 2% had HIV-1, HIV-2, and concurrent HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction revealed that 43% had HPV infection, while Southern transfer hybridization found only 7%. HIV-1 infected women faced a significant increased risk for HPV (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.9) as also did HIV-2 infected women (AOR = 1.7). Both these groups also faced an increased risk for SIL (AOR = 1.8 and 2.9, respectively), but the increased risk was not significant. Similarly, women infected with both HIV-1 and HIV-2 faced an increased risk of HPV and SIL (AOR = 4.9 and 5.2, respectively). Among women with HIV infection, women with HPV had a lower CD4 count and CD4/CD8 ratio (854 vs. 1033 million/l, p = 0.08, and 0.88 vs. 1.17, p = 0.05, respectively) than women with no detectable HPV. HIV-positive women with SIL had a lower CD4/CD8 ratio than HIV-positive women without SIL (0.65 vs. 1.03; p = 0.003). HIV-2 women exhibited lower immunosuppression than HIV-1 women. These findings show that both HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection were associated with HPV and SIL. The researchers expressed interest in longitudinal studies designed to examine the risk of high-grade SIL, the direct precursor of invasive cervical cancer, among HIV-infected women.

A standard procedure for measuring rodent bedding particle size and dust content.

Hardwood dust can cause dermatitis, respiratory disease, allergies and nasal cancer in humans. A major concern with animal hardwood bedding is its dust content and its possible effects on animals and animal technicians. Previous reports on the quality control of rodent bedding did not specify sample size or shake time for measuring bedding particle size and dust content. These variables could alter particle size analyses. In an effort to more accurately characterize bedding particle size and dust content, 50g and 100g samples of hardwood bedding were shaken for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes in a portable sieve shaker containing U.S. standard sieves (Nos. 8, 20, 30 and 50) to determine optimum sample size and shake time. Significant differences (P less than 0.05 or greater) were observed in the percent of bedding retained on a No. 8 sieve when 50g and 100g samples were taken for 30 seconds or for 1 minute. Samples shaken for 2 or more minutes did not show any statistical differences in the percent of bedding which was retained on or passed through the different sieves. Major differences occurred in the percent of bedding which was retained or passed through the different sieves, when the shake time was varied from 0.5 to 5 minutes. These results indicated that 0.5 or 1 minute was definitely not enough time to accurately measure bedding particle size and dust content and that the sample size and shake time must be consistent in order to accurately compare the particle size and dust content of different shipments of bedding or to compare bedding from different vendors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Identification of human leukemic glucocorticoid receptors using affinity labeling and anti-human glucocorticoid receptor antibodies.

Antisera raised against human lymphoid glucocorticoid receptors were used in combination with the glucocorticoid receptor affinity label [3H]dexamethasone 21-mesylate [( 3H]DM) to identify the glucocorticoid receptors of the human B-lymphoblastoid cell line IM-9 and the human T-cell leukemic cell line CEM-C7. Antisera were obtained following immunization of New Zealand White rabbits with [3H]triamcinolone acetonide [( 3H]TA)-glucocorticoid receptor complexes partially purified by two-stage DNA-cellulose chromatography. The presence of anti-human glucocorticoid receptor antibodies was verified by: (a) adsorption of [3H]TA-receptor-antibody complexes to Protein A; (b) a shift to higher apparent molecular weight in the elution position from Sephacryl S300 of [3H]TA-receptor complexes incubated with immune serum; and (c) the ability of immune serum to displace [3H]TA-receptor complexes on sucrose gradients. These antibodies also recognized rat liver and murine S49 cell glucocorticoid receptors. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of [3H]DM-labeled IM-9 cytosol identified a major competable band with a molecular weight of approximately 90,000, three minor competable components with molecular weights of approximately 78,000, approximately 51,000, and approximately 38,500, and at least 21 other noncompetable components. Following immunoprecipitation of [3H]DM-labeled cytosol with immune serum, only the Mr 90,000 and 78,000 components were seen. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of [3H]DM-labeled CEM-C7 cytosol revealed a larger number of [3H]DM-labeled components. However, after immunoprecipitation of [3H]DM-labeled CEM-C7 cytosol, a predominant competable component with a molecular weight of 90,000 was easily identified. This component was markedly diminished when cytosols from the glucocorticoid receptor-deficient cell line ICR-27 were used. Thus, the combination of affinity labeling and anti-human glucocorticoid receptor antibodies is capable of providing direct physical identification of human lymphoid glucocorticoid receptors.