CERVICOVAGINAL OVERPRODUCTION OF SPECIFIC IGG TO HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS (HIV) CONTRASTS WITH NORMAL OR IMPAIRED IGA LOCAL RESPONSE INHIV-INFECTION

Paired sera and cervicovaginal secretions (CVS) from 30 women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (before AIDS) were ana lyzed for IgG and IgA antibodies to HIV and for IgG, IgA, and human se rum albumin. Subjects were compared with 30 age-matched healthy contro ls. In HIV-infected women, cervicovaginal immunoglobulins were markedl y increased, and IgG predominated. An increased immunoglobulin transud ation was implicated, since cervicovaginal albumin levels were 2.3-fol d above those of normal controls. Furthermore, IgG excretion by refere nce to albumin was increased 1.9-fold, whereas the IgA secretion tende d to decrease, suggesting a possible enhanced local IgG synthesis. Mea n IgG and IgA anti-HIV antibody titers were, respectively, 30- and 12- fold higher in serum than in CVS, but their mean specific activities w ere higher in CVS than in serum, suggesting a local synthesis of both isotypes. The IgA antibody response to HIV remained poor compared with the strong Ige response.