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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Vitamin A and risk of HIV-1 seroconversion among Kenyan men with genital ulcers
AIDS, Volume 15, No. 5, Year 2001
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Description
Background: Vitamin A is involved in normal immune function and the maintenance of mucosal integrity through complex effects on cellular differentiation. Objective: We sought to determine whether serum vitamin A levels were associated with altered susceptibility to primary infection with HIV-1 in men with high-risk sexual behaviour and genital ulcers who presented for treatment at an STD clinic in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: HIV-1 seronegative men were prospectively followed. Vitamin A levels at study entry were compared among 38 men who HIV-1 seroconverted versus 94 controls who remained HIV seronegative. Results: Vitamin A deficiency (retinol less than 20 μg/dl) was very common and was present in 50% of HIV-1 seroconverters versus 76% of persistent seronegatives. Seroconversion was independently associated with a retinol level greater than 20 μg/ dl (HR 2.43, 95% Cl 1.25-4.70, P = 0.009), and a genital ulcer aetiology caused by Haemophilus ducreyi (HR 3.49, 95% Cl 1.03-11.67, P= 0.04). Circumcision was independently associated with protection (HR 0.46, 95% Cl 0.23-0.93, P = 0.03). Conclusion: Vitamin A deficiency was not associated with an increased risk of HIV-1 infection among men with concurrent STD. A decreased risk of HIV-1 seroconversion was independently associated with lower retinol levels. The effects of vitamin A on macrophage and lymphoid cell differentiation may paradoxically increase mucosal susceptibility to HIV-1 in some vulnerable individuals, such as men with genital ulcers. Lack of circumcision and chancroid are confirmed as important co-factors for heterosexual HIV-1 transmission. The role of vitamin A in heterosexual HIV-1 transmission requires further study. © 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Authors & Co-Authors
MacDonald, Kelly S.
Canada, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital of University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Netherlands, Bilthoven
Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Malonza, Isaac M.
Canada, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital of University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Netherlands, Bilthoven
Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Chen, Daniel K.
Canada, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital of University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Netherlands, Bilthoven
Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Nagelkerke, Nico J.D.
Canada, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital of University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Netherlands, Bilthoven
Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Nasio, James M.
Canada, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital of University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Netherlands, Bilthoven
Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Ndinya-Achola, Jeckoniah O.
Canada, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital of University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Netherlands, Bilthoven
Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Bwayo, Job J.
Canada, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital of University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Netherlands, Bilthoven
Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Sitar, D. S.
Canada, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital of University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Netherlands, Bilthoven
Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Aoki, Fred Y.
Canada, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital of University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Netherlands, Bilthoven
Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Plummer, Francis Allan
Canada, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital of University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Netherlands, Bilthoven
Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Statistics
Citations: 66
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1097/00002030-200103300-00014
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Locations
Kenya
Participants Gender
Male