Frequent detection of HIV-1 RNA but low rates of HIV-1 isolation in cervicovaginal secretions from infected women

Information regarding the presence of HIV-1 in the female genital tract is necessary to gain insight into the mechanism of HIV-1 heterosexual transmis sion. Herein, we present the results of a study on virus isolation and HIV- 1 RNA detection from cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples from 25 HIV-1 sero positive women. Despite detectable levels of HIV-1 RNA in 88% of CVL sample s, HIV-1 was isolated in only four (19%) samples. Although HIV-1 shedding i n cervicovaginal secretions is a common event at all disease stages, the re covery of infectious virus in cell cultures appears to be rare; this render s viral isolation in studies aimed to evaluate the infectivity of cervicova ginal secretions relatively useless.