Interestingly, these detectable immune responses appeared to provide complete protection against subsequent HIV transmission at delivery and through breastfeeding. The use of antiretroviral agents remains the key intervention for reducing perinatal transmission in both the developed and developing world. However, clinical standards of care often outpace the results of clinical trials. Based on these initial results, AZT should be given by IV administration during labor whenever possible. Three studies reported at this meeting were reassuring.
Further evaluation is underway.
No other NVP resistance mutations were identified. Cancer Two studies from the HERS cohort examined causes of death and cancer incidence among HIV-infected women. No cases of cervical cancer were seen in 439 HIV-negative but high risk women. However, transmitting males had higher mean plasma HIV-RNA levels as compared to transmitting females, suggesting that women may be more likely to transmit HIV sexually at lower viral loads. African-Americans appeared to be protected from fat deposition.