High Mycoplasma genitalium organism burden is associated with shedding of HIV-1 DNA from the cervix.

We assessed the relationship between infection with Mycoplasma genitalium, an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen, and cervical shedding of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 DNA among 303 HIV-1-positive Kenyan women. HIV-1 shedding was detected by qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 154 women (51%); M. genitalium was detected by qualitative PCR in 52 (17%), and organism burden was determined by quantitative PCR.

Increased levels of HIV-1-infected cells in endocervical secretions after the luteinizing hormone surge.

Levels of HIV-1 RNA in endocervical specimens fluctuate with the menstrual cycle, suggesting that cell-free HIV-1 levels may vary during the cycle, which could influence infectivity. Here, we examined daily changes in endocervical HIV-1-infected cells during 1 cycle. There were significant positive associations between the number of days from the luteinizing hormone surge and the number of HIV-1 DNA copies/swab (P = 0.

Cyclic shedding of HIV-1 RNA in cervical secretions during the menstrual cycle.

The association between hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA shedding in cervical and vaginal secretions was examined daily for 17 HIV-1-seropositive women, for the duration of 1 cycle. Serum levels of RNA were evaluated 3 times/week. A marginally significant positive correlation between serum levels of progesterone and serum levels of HIV-1 RNA (P=.