Hormonal contraceptives combined with genital infections alter immunity to HIV-1

When women had genital tract infections, different forms of hormonal contraception affected immune markers involved in acquisition of HIV.

When women had genital tract infections, different forms of hormonal contraception affected immune markers involved in acquisition of HIV. In the image, woman taking the pill
Hormonal contraception affected immune markers in response to genital infections which could affect susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, researchers found

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There is variable evidence of an association between hormonal contraceptives (HCs) and acquisition of HIV-1 infection. Further insights are provided by a study published in mBio (online, 1 September 2015)[1]
, which suggests that different HCs influence the cervical and vaginal immune response to other genital tract infections, affecting immunity to HIV-1.

Through analysis of cervical swabs from 832 HIV-uninfected young reproductive-age women, the researchers showed that levels of cervical immunity mediators associated with subsequent HIV acquisition are affected by HCs. These changes were more significant among women using HCs who had disturbed vaginal microbiota or a history of herpes.

“[A] weakened mucosal barrier against HIV may be a combined result of genital tract infections and HC use,” the researchers conclude. HCs may be less safe for women with a certain type of vaginal microbiota or genital tract infections.

References

[1] Fichorova RN, Chen P-L, Morrison CS et al . The contribution of cervicovaginal infections to the immunomodulatory effects of hormonal contraception. MBio 2015;6(5):e00221-15. doi:10.1128/mBio.00221-15.

Last updated
Citation
The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, 12 September 2015, Vol 295, No 7879;295(7879):DOI:10.1211/PJ.2015.20069303

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