PREVALENCE OF HIV-1 DNA AND P24 ANTIGEN IN BREAST-MILK AND CORRELATION WITH MATERNAL FACTORS

Breast milk specimens from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) -seropositive and HIV-1-seronegative women were examined for the prese nce of HIV-1 p24 antigen by the antigen capture method and for viral D NA using the polymerase chain reaction. HIV-1 DNA was present in 70% o f milk specimens collected from 47 HIV-seropositive women 0-4 days aft er delivery and in similar to 50% of specimens collected 6 and 12 mont hs postpartum. p24 antigen, present in 24% of milk specimens collected from 37 seropositive women within the first 4 days postpartum, was no t detected in any of the subsequent specimens. The presence of HIV-1 D NA or p24 antigen in milk was not significantly associated with matern al CD4 lymphocyte count, beta(2)-microglobulin level , or fulfillment of the AIDS clinical case definition. Although the correlation of eith er HIV-1 proviral DNA or p24 antigen with the presence of infectious v irus is not known, these data indicate the need for additional studies examining the role of breastfeeding in maternal-infant transmission o f HIV-1.