Retroviruses and Novel Drugs

Biography

Biography: Okeke Chukwubike Udoka

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among pregnant women is on the increase in sub-sahara Africa. The use of antiretroviral drugs has ameliorated the adverse effect of HIV on pregnancy. The study was to investigate the effect of the antiretroviral drugs on estradiol and progesterone among HIV-infected pregnant women.

MATERIALS/ METHODS: 120 pregnant women participated in this study which comprised of 60 HIV seropositive at 2^nd trimester, and 60 HIV seronegative throughout the gestation period. The HIV-infected group commenced antiretroviral treatment (Nevirapine, Zidovudine, and Lamivudine) at 2^nd trimester through full term. The serum estradiol/ progesterone levels were estimated at 2^nd and 3^rd trimester of pregnancy of these subjects by ELISA method.

RESULT: It was observed that there was progressive increase in progesterone and estradiol levels in 2^nd through 3^rd trimester in both groups of women, irrespective of their HIV status. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in progesterone levels between HIV-infected and non-infected groups at 2^nd trimester (210.94 ± 7.04 ng/ml and 222.27± 6.81 ng/ml respecively). There was also no significant difference (p > 0.05) in progesterone level in 3^rd trimester between the two groups (HIV –infected group 253.05 ± 6.81 ng/ml, and non-infected group 241.09 ± 5.72 ng/ml). It was observed that the estradiol levels in non-infected group (8,812.85 ± 415. 93pg/ml) was significantly higher (p <0.05) than HIV –infected group (5,359.82 ± 260.79 pg/ml) at 2^nd trimester. This significant difference in estradiol levels was also observed in 3^rd trimester between the two groups (non-infected 10.212.50 ± 566.76 pg/ml and HIV –infected 7,664.23 ± 268.72 pg/ml).

CONCLUSION: The significant decline in estradiol level among HIV-infected pregnant women at 2^nd trimester shows that HIV infection significantly reduces the secretion of estradiol. It does not have significant effect on progesterone secretion among these women in second trimester. This indicates that untreated HIV infection can affect development and maintenance of pregnancy in women. The progressive increase in estradiol from 2^nd trimester through 3^rd trimester showed that antiretroviral drugs significantly ameliorate the possible effects of HIV on estradiol, thereby prevent some adverse HIV effects on the pregnancy outcome.