However, when matched for RNA copy number, the risk of AIDS was 1.6-fold higher for women. Other large cohort studies have had less convincing results.
Further study is warranted regarding sex differences in viral and immunologic parameters.
Consistent with this hypothesis are some preliminary studies of variation in viral load according to menstrual cycle. References Farzadegan H, Hoover DR, Astemborski J, et al. Lancet , 1998. Sterling TR, Lyles CM, Vlahov D, et al. Sex differences in longitudinal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA levels among seroconverters.