Effect of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device on genital HIV-1 RNA shedding among HIV-1-infected women not taking antiretroviral therapy in Nairobi, Kenya.

The effect of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) on genital HIV-1 RNA shedding and inflammation among 25 HIV-infected women was evaluated. Blood, endocervical, and cervicovaginal lavage samples were collected from HIV-infected women not taking antiretrovirals before LNG-IUD insertion and 1 month, 3 month, and 6 months thereafter. HIV-1 RNA was quantitated by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Infectious correlates of HIV-1 shedding in the female upper and lower genital tracts.

Objectives: To determine the effects of vaginal, cervical, and endometrial infections on shedding of HIV-1 RNA in the female genital tract.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Methods: Antiretroviral-naive women from Nairobi, Kenya with CD4 cell counts >or= 350 cells/mul had plasma and endocervical wick samples collected for HIV quantification by real-time RNA reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.