Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 stimulatory activity by Gardnerella vaginalis: Relationship to biotypes and other pathogenic characteristics

Stimulation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 expression by Gard nerella vaginalis is one possible cause for an increase in the amount of vi rus in the genital tract. The ability of G. vaginalis to induce HIV express ion in chronically infected U1 cells was investigated, along with its possi ble relationship to biotype, genotype, and resistance to metronidazole and bacteriocin. Significant HIV stimulatory activity was found in 5 (50%) lysa tes of G. vaginalis. The ability to induce HIV expression in U1 cells was s tatistically associated with G. vaginalis biotype (P = .048) but not with g enotype or resistance to metronidazole and bacteriocin. Further studies to explore the in vivo relevance of HIV activation by G. vaginalis in the fema le genital tract are warranted, since prevention strategies of bacterial va ginosis and colonization by certain biotypes of G. vaginalis may be valuabl e in reducing the risk of sexual transmission of HIV.