OBJECTIVE:The COVID-19 pandemic brought about many social, psychological, and economic changes. We sought to compare pregnancy and birth outcomes immediately preceding the COVID-19 lockdown to those 12 months later.STUDY DESIGN:This was a retrospective cohort study of people giving birth at a large-volume tertiary medical center in Rhode Island. We compared those who gave birth in February 2020 to those in February 2021.  Results: Fewer people delivered in 2021 than 2020 (562 vs. 655). There was a non-significant decrease in the number of primary cesarean deliveries from 2020 to 2021. Insurance status modified this effect as there was a significant decrease in the number of patients with private insurance undergoing primary cesarean (63.6 vs 36.4%, p=0.004). Neonatal complications significantly decreased (55.4% vs 47.4%, p=0.006).CONCLUSION:There were differences in sociodemographic characteristics and outcomes of birthing people between 2020 and 2021. The socioeconomic and healthcare landscape caused by COVID-19 altered statewide birthing patterns.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell specimens were collected from 13 HIV-1-infected IV drug users in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as well as one HIV-infected baby, between 1992 and 1993. DNA was then amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction and a 345-bp fragment of the C2V3 region of the env gene was sequenced. 11 of the 14 Malaysian sequences clustered with the B' subtype, one different from the typical subtype B US strains HIVMN and HIVSF2. Two sequences grouped in the C subtype and had sister taxa closer to the Indian C subtype sequences than those from Zambia. The sequence from the infant was identified as a subtype E virus, grouped more closely with subtype E strains from Thailand than subtype E viruses from the Central African Republic.

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 subtype B sequences (whole envelope and the p17 region of gag ) were obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples collected in 1981 from seven HIV-infected U.S. individuals and in 1982 from one infected Canadian resident. Phylogenetic and nucleotide distance analyses were performed by using database sequences representing North American strains collected from 1978 to 1995. The estimated phylogeny was starlike, with early strains represented on different lineages. When sequences were grouped by years of collection, nucleotide distance comparisons demonstrated an increase in diversity over time and indicated that contemporary strains are more closely related to early epidemic strains than to each other. Using a recently developed likelihood ratio reduction procedure, the date of origin of the U.S. epidemic was estimated to be 1968 ± 1.4 years. A coalescent approach was also used to estimate the population history of the U.S. subtype B epidemic. Our analyses provide new information that implies an exponential growth rate from the beginning of the U.S. HIV epidemic. The dating results suggest a U.S. introduction date (or date of divergence from the most recent common ancestor) that precedes the date of the earliest known AIDS cases in the late 1970s. Furthermore, the estimated epidemic growth curve shows a period of exponential growth that preceded most of the early documented cases and also indicates a leveling of prevalence rates in the recent past.

An investigation of a possible single-source sexual transmission case was conducted in upstate New York in 1997-1998 (MMWR 1999;48:413-416). Of 42 primary female contacts with the putative male index case, 13 tested positive for HIV infection. Blood was available for DNA sequencing (C2V3C3 region of the env gene and the p17-coding region of gag) from 10 of the 13 women, 1 HIV-infected secondary contact, and 2 HIV-infected persons from the community, but not from the index cam. Phylogenetic and distance analyses were performed with the inclusion of reference HIV subtype strains for both the env and gag gene regions, as was the two regions combined. A high degree of relatedness was found among DNA sequences of the 10 primary contacts that excluded reference strains, the secondary contact, and the community HIV control subjects. In conclusion, phylogenetic analysis of HIV strains in an epidemiologic investigation is highly useful in support of cluster identification, even without sampling from the putative index patient.

The rapid spread of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) circulating recombinant form (CRF) 01AE throughout Asia demonstrates the dynamic nature of emerging epidemics. To further characterize the dissemination of these strains regionally, we sequenced 58 strains from Singapore and found that subtype B and CRF01 were introduced separately, by homosexual and heterosexual transmission, respectively. Protein similarity scores of the Singapore CRF01, as well as all Asian strains, demonstrated a complex distribution of scores in the V3 loop--some strains had very similar V3 loop sequences, while others were highly divergent. Furthermore, we found a strong correlation between the loss of a V3 glycosylation site and the divergent strains. This suggests that loss of this glycosylation site may make the V3 loop more susceptible to immune surveillance. The identification of a rapidly evolving population of CRF01AE variants should be considered when designing new candidate vaccines and when evaluating breakthrough strains from current vaccine trials.

CONTEXT Current screening practices for blood donations have been successful in reducing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission through receipt of contaminated blood products. However, HIV-infected blood donations made prior to seroconversion and before high levels of viral replication occur could test negative using both serologic antigen and antibody tests. Testing based on nucleic acid amplification (NAT) is being implemented to screen for HIV-infected blood donated during this period, yet the issue of single vs minipool donation screening remains unresolved. OBJECTIVES To determine HIV-1 genetic linkage between virus in 2 HIV-1-infected recipients of blood components and virus in the donor, who was HIV antigen and antibody negative at the time of donation; to screen the blood donor's plasma with HIV NAT assays, including those currently proposed for use in US blood donation screening. DESIGN AND SETTING Case study conducted in October 1997 involving the Communicable Disease Centre, Singapore General Hospital, and the Singapore Blood Transfusion Service, Singapore. SUBJECTS The blood donor and the 2 recipients of donor platelets and red blood cells. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Genetic analysis of the HIV-1 p17 coding region of gag and the C2V5 region of env to determine the genetic relatedness of virus from the donor and recipients; reactivity in quantitative and qualitative assays, and reactivity in donor screening HIV NAT assays in single donation and minipool screening contexts. RESULTS Direct DNA sequencing demonstrated identical HIV-1 subtype E viral sequences in the donor and recipients. Based on comparisons of a qualitative and quantitative assay for HIV-1 RNA levels, a low level of viremia (range, 5-39 copies/mL in plasma) was estimated to be in the donor's undiluted blood at the time of donation. Additional testing using donor-screening NAT assays showed consistent detection of HIV RNA in the undiluted donor plasma whereas detection was inconsistent at the 1:16 and 1:24 dilution levels currently used in minipool screening of blood donations in the United States. CONCLUSIONS Transmission of HIV from a blood donor to a platelet recipient and a red blood cell recipient occurred in the preseroconversion infectious window period. The viral load in the implicated donation was estimated to be less than 40 copies/mL of plasma. Current US minipool HIV NAT screening protocols may not be sufficiently sensitive to detect all infectious window-period donations. JAMA. 2000;284:210-214

We surveyed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) subtype distribution from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected in 1995 from 24 HIV-1-infected Kenyan residents (specimens from predominantly male truck drivers and female sex workers near Mombasa and Nairobi). Processed lysates from the PBMC samples were used for env amplification, directly sequenced, and analyzed by phylogenetic analysis. Envelope amplification products were also used for analysis in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay, called the combinatorial melting assay (COMA). Results of the two tests were compared for assignment of subtype for this Kenyan cohort. The COMA, a PCR capture technique with colorimetric signal detection, was used with HIV reference subtype strains as well as regional (East Africa) HIV strains for subtype identification. Performance of the COMA was at 100% concordance (24 of 24) as compared with DNA sequencing analysis. Phylogenetic analysis showed 17 isolates to be subtype A, 3 subtype D, and 4 subtype C viruses. This may represent an increase in subtype C presence in Kenya compared with previously documented reports. The COMA can offer advantages for rapid HIV-1 subtype screening of large populations, with the use of previously identified regional strains to enhance the identification of local strains. When more detailed genetic information is desired, DNA sequencing and analysis may be required.

AIDS Research and Human RetrovirusesVol. 12, No. 14 Sequence Note: Genetic Variability of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in Rural Northwest TanzaniaKENNETH E. ROBBINS, CLAUDIU I. BANDEA, ARTHUR LEVIN, JAMES J. GOEDERT, WILLIAM A. BLATTNER, GLEN BRUBAKER, TERESA M. BROWN, GERALD SCHOCHETMAN, MARCIA L. KALISH, JOHN SHAO, and THOMAS R. O'BRIENKENNETH E. ROBBINSSearch for more papers by this author, CLAUDIU I. BANDEASearch for more papers by this author, ARTHUR LEVINSearch for more papers by this author, JAMES J. GOEDERTSearch for more papers by this author, WILLIAM A. BLATTNERSearch for more papers by this author, GLEN BRUBAKERSearch for more papers by this author, TERESA M. BROWNSearch for more papers by this author, GERALD SCHOCHETMANSearch for more papers by this author, MARCIA L. KALISHSearch for more papers by this author, JOHN SHAOSearch for more papers by this author, and THOMAS R. O'BRIENSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:15 Mar 2009https://doi.org/10.1089/aid.1996.12.1389AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byHIV-1 Subtypes and Recombinants in Northern Tanzania: Distribution of Viral Quasispecies31 October 2012 | PLoS ONE, Vol. 7, No. 10Phenotypic and Genotypic Comparisons of CCR5- and CXCR4-Tropic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Biological Clones Isolated from Subtype C-Infected IndividualsJournal of Virology, Vol. 78, No. 6Recombination of HIV Type 1C (C′/C″) in Ethiopia: Possible Link of EthHIV-1C′ to Subtype C Sequences from the High-Prevalence Epidemics in India and Southern Africa Georgios Pollakis, Almaz Abebe, Aletta Kliphuis, Tobias F. Rinke de Wit, Bitew Fisseha, Belete Tegbaru, Girma Tesfaye, Hailu Negassa, Yohannes Mengistu, Arnaud L. Fontanet, Marion Cornelissen, and Jaap Goudsmit5 July 2004 | AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, Vol. 19, No. 11High Genetic Diversity of HIV-1 Strains in Chad, West Central AfricaJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, Vol. 33, No. 2Among 46 Near Full Length HIV Type 1 Genome Sequences from Rakai District, Uganda, Subtype D and AD Recombinants Predominate Matthew E. Harris, David Serwadda, Nelson Sewankambo, Bohye Kim, Godfrey Kigozi, Noah Kiwanuka, James B. Phillips, Fred Wabwire, Mary Meehen, Tom Lutalo, James R. Lane, Randall Merling, Ron Gray, Maria Wawer, Deborah L. Birx, Merlin L. Robb, and Francine E. McCutchan5 July 2004 | AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, Vol. 18, No. 17Common Genetic Arrangements among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype A and D Recombinant Genomes Vertically Transmitted in Tanzania Irene N. Koulinska, Gernard Msamanga, Davis Mwakagile, Max Essex, and Boris Renjifo5 July 2004 | AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, Vol. 18, No. 13Forty-one near full-length HIV-1 sequences from Kenya reveal an epidemic of subtype A and A-containing recombinantsAIDS, Vol. 16, No. 13High proportion of unrelated HIV-1 intersubtype recombinants in the Mbeya region of southwest TanzaniaAIDS, Vol. 15, No. 12A New Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Circulating Recombinant Form from Tanzania Irene N. Koulinska, Thumbi Ndung'u, Davis Mwakagile, Gernard Msamanga, Charles Kagoma, Wafaie Fawzi, Max Essex, and Boris Renjifo5 July 2004 | AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, Vol. 17, No. 5Identification of a Genetic Subcluster of HIV Type 1 Subtype C (C′) Widespread in Ethiopia Almaz Abebe, Georgios Pollakis, Arnaud L. Fontanet, Bitew Fisseha, Belete Tegbaru, Aletta Kliphuis, Girma Tesfaye, Hailu Negassa, Marion Cornelissen, Jaap Goudsmit, and Tobias F. Rinke de Wit5 July 2004 | AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, Vol. 16, No. 17Evidence of Subtype B-Like Sequences in the V3 Loop Region of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Ireen E. E. Kiwelu, Hanne L. Nakkestad, John Shao, and Maja A. Sommerfelt5 July 2004 | AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, Vol. 16, No. 12HIV-1 Subtype C in Commercial Sex Workers in Addis Ababa, EthiopiaJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, Vol. 23, No. 2HIV-1 Subtype C in Commercial Sex Workers in Addis Ababa, EthiopiaJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, Vol. 23, No. 2Genetic Analysis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Strains in Kenya: A Comparison Using Phylogenetic Analysis and a Combinatorial Melting Assay Kenneth E. Robbins, Leondios G. Kostrikis, Teresa M. Brown, Omu Anzala, Sunny Shin, Francis A. Plummer, and Marcia L. Kalish5 July 2004 | AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, Vol. 15, No. 4Sequence Note: Epidemic Expansion of HIV Type 1 Subtype C and Recombinant Genotypes in Tanzania BORIS RENJIFO, BETH CHAPLIN, DAVIS MWAKAGILE, PULIN SHAH, FREDRIK VANNBERG, GERNARD MSAMANGA, DAVID HUNTER, WAFAIE FAWZI, and MAX ESSEX15 March 2009 | AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, Vol. 14, No. 7HIV-1 Subtypes and Recombinants Volume 12Issue 14Sep 1996 To cite this article:KENNETH E. ROBBINS, CLAUDIU I. BANDEA, ARTHUR LEVIN, JAMES J. GOEDERT, WILLIAM A. BLATTNER, GLEN BRUBAKER, TERESA M. BROWN, GERALD SCHOCHETMAN, MARCIA L. KALISH, JOHN SHAO, and THOMAS R. O'BRIEN.Sequence Note: Genetic Variability of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in Rural Northwest Tanzania.AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses.Sep 1996.1389-1391.http://doi.org/10.1089/aid.1996.12.1389Published in Volume: 12 Issue 14: March 15, 2009PDF download

Factors in the aqueous humor capable of increasing the random migration and chemotaxis of monocytes were demonstrated during experimental uveitis in the rabbit. Injection of endotoxin-free human serum albumin into the vitreous produced a severe inflammation detectable after 7 days and maximal between 12 to 21 days. Aqueous humor was measured for chemotactic activity with a modified Boyden chamber, which permitted the use of volumes of less than 0.025 ml. Chemotactic activity was measurable during the primary inflammation and remained elevated for a short period of time after clinical inflammation and anterior chamber cellular reaction had decreased. A severe reinduction uveitis could be initiated by the intravenous injection of human serum albumin after day 30. Chemotactic factors could be measured at high titers by 8 h after this intravenous challenge.