Quantitative HIV-1-specific antibodies as predictors of peripheral blood cell-associated HIV-1 DNA concentrations

Margaret McManus, Brad Karalius, Kunjal Patel, Deborah Persaud, Katherine Luzuriaga

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective:This study evaluated HIV-1 antibody levels as predictors of cell-associated HIV-1 DNA levels in perinatally infected (PHIV) children with long-term viral suppression on antiretroviral therapy (ART).Design:HIV-1 antibody and HIV-1 DNA levels were measured in blood specimens from 61 children and adolescents from the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study: Adolescent Master Protocol. Twenty perinatally HIV-1-exposed, uninfected children studied through 2 years served as controls.Methods:HIV-1 IgG antibodies to six HIV-1 proteins were measured by quantitative ELISA; HIV-1 DNA levels were measured by droplet digital PCR.Results:Among 13 children with viral suppression at less than 1 year, antibodies to gp160 and gp41 were low but stable longitudinally; antibodies to p17, p24, and RT decreased, and antibodies to p31 were low or undetectable. Among 48 children with viral suppression between 1 and 5 years, antibody levels to all six HIV-1 proteins were higher than in children with earlier viral suppression and remained high over time. A receiver operator curve approach identified gp41 and gp160 as useful predictors of HIV-1 DNA less than 10 or less than 100 copies per million PBMC (cpm); C-statistics including all antibodies ranged from 0.75 to 0.77. An ensemble learning approach also identified gp41 and gp160 as important predictors of HIV-1 DNA less than 10 or less than 100 cpm; area under the curve estimates utilizing all HIV-1 antibodies ranged from 0.70 to 0.81.Conclusion:Quantitative HIV-1 gp41 and gp160 antibody levels may serve as rapid, inexpensive screening tools for low PBMC HIV-1 DNA levels in children with viral suppression on ART, facilitating inclusion into remission protocols.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1117-1126
Number of pages10
JournalAIDS
Volume34
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2020

Keywords

  • HIV-1 persistence
  • HIV-1 quantitative antibodies
  • pediatric early antiretroviral therapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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