http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/463272?mpid=20190 HIV RNA Levels Highest in Whole Milk Portion of Breast Milk By Anthony J. Brown, MD NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Oct 21 - In HIV-infected women, the whole milk component of breast milk contains the highest levels of viral RNA, according to a new report. This suggests that researchers studying mother-to-child HIV transmission via breast milk should test this component first. The findings, which are reported in the October 15th issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases, are based on an analysis of HIV RNA levels in the breast milk of 33 HIV-infected, breastfeeding women in Malawi. Specifically, RNA levels were compared in all four components of the milk-whole milk, skim milk, lipid layer, and breast-milk cells. "HIV RNA levels were highest and most likely to be detected in the whole milk component," lead author Dr. Irving F. Hoffman, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told Reuters Health. "The next highest levels were found in the lipid layer." Several factors were associated with the HIV RNA levels in milk, the investigators note. Serum viral load was directly related to the milk level, whereas serum CD4+ cell count was inversely linked to the level. "In agreement with previous reports, we found that HIV levels were highest in women with breast inflammation," Dr. Hoffman noted. "Typically, these were women who had little experience breastfeeding." "We plan on using the information from the current study in an intervention trial that is just getting underway," Dr. Hoffman noted. "In this trial, we will be measuring HIV levels in breast milk and comparing mother-to-child transmission" with various antiretroviral interventions, he added. J Infect Dis 2003;188:1209-1212. *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html