Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA in breast-milk components.

Hoffman, Irving F; Martinson, Francis E A; Stewart, Paul W; Chilongozi, David A; Leu, Szu-Yun; Kazembe, Peter N; Banda, Topia; Dzinyemba, Willard et al. · J Infect Dis · 2003

Level II

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Abstract

We conducted the present study to determine which of the 4 components of breast milk (whole milk, skim milk, lipid layer, and breast-milk cells) had the highest sensitivity and concentration of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 RNA burden and to determine biological correlates to these factors. The probability of detection of HIV (sensitivity) and the concentration of HIV-1 RNA were both associated with the choice of milk component, CD4(+) cell count, concentration of blood serum HIV-1 RNA, and the presence of breast inflammation. Whole milk demonstrated higher sensitivity and mean concentration than any other single component. Sensitivity was enhanced by analyzing all 4 components of breast milk.

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