Mucosal immune responses in four distinct compartments of women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1: a comparison by site and correlation with clinical information.

Because mucosal immune responses may be important in protection against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), HIV-1-specific immune responses at mucosal sites in natural infection were compared. Total antibody concentrations and HIV-1-specific binding antibody responses in four distinct mucosal sites and serum were assessed in 41 HIV-infected and 19 HIV-seronegative women. HIV-1 gp160-specific IgG responses were detected in >99% of mucosal samples in infected subjects, with the highest titers in genital secretions. HIV-1-specific IgA was detected in the majority of endocervical secretions (94%) and nasal washes (95%) but less often in vaginal washes (51%) and parotid saliva (38%). There was no significant correlation between mucosal immune response and most clinical factors. Based on methodologic considerations, frequencies of detection, and HIV-1-specific responses, nasal washes and genital secretions may each provide important measures of HIV-1-specific mucosal immune responses in infected women.