Subtypes of HIV-1 and the impact of dual infections of HIV-1 and measles virus on micronutrient levels of pregnant women in Harare, Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVE

To determine subtypes of HIV-1, simultaneous prevalence of HIV-1 and measles virus antibodies and their impact on micronutrient levels of pregnant women in Harare, Zimbabwe.

DESIGN

Cross sectional.

SETTING

Budiriro and Edith Opperman Antenatal Clinics Harare; Departments of Medical Microbiology, Medical Laboratory Technology and Institute of Food, Nutrition and Family Sciences, University of Zimbabwe.

SUBJECTS: Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HIV-1 subtypes, measles virus seropositivities and levels of micronutrients among the pregnant women.

RESULTS

Results showed that 101 (22.7%) out of a total of 444 pregnant women screened were HIV-1 positive. A separate group of 238 (inclusive of the 444) were screened for measles antibody and 118 (49.5%) were positive, whereas 41 (17.2%) were HIV-1 positive. Thirty five (29.7%) were seropositive for both HIV-1 and measles virus (simultaneous infection). HIV-1 subtypes revealed subtype C (70.4%) as the predominant subtype. HIV-1 subtypes B, A and D accounted for 40.8%, 39.8% and 22.4% respectively whereas HIV-1 subtypes E and F were not detected. Dual infections showed that 37.7%, 36.7%, 7.1% and 4.4% harboured subtypes A and C; B and C; A and D and B and D respectively. Multiple infections with subtypes A, B, C and D (5.1%) were also recorded whereas 9.2% were non-reactive. Results on micronutrients portrayed that HIV-1 positive pregnant women had significantly lower zinc than the control but co-infection with measles virus did not cause further decrease. Infection by either HIV-1 or measles virus increased serum copper (p < 0.05) but co-infection by the two viruses reduced the copper level significantly (p < 0.05). HIV-1 seropositivity did not affect serum magnesium level but was lower (p < 0.05) in women positive for both HIV-1 and measles virus.

CONCLUSION

This is a single report on HIV-1 infection, HIV-1 subtypes, simultaneous prevalence of HIV-1 and measles virus antibodies and their impact on micronutrient levels of pregnant women in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study is of nutritional, clinico-epidemiologic importance.