Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 1 in 2 HIV-1-infected persons living in a couple have a serodiscordant partner. Recent data suggest a large proportion of new HIV-1 infections in mature epidemics occur within discordant couples, making discordancy a major contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa. What accounts for high rates of HIV-1 discordance and why some individuals remain uninfected despite repeated sexual exposure to HIV-1 is unknown. Studying HIV-1-discordant couples may contribute to understanding correlates of HIV-1 immunity and acute infection. Additionally, HIV-1-discordant couples are an important population for prevention efforts. Consequently, HIV-1-discordant couples are increasingly viewed as a valuable source of participants for HIV vaccine and prevention trials. This review summarizes and critiques existing data on HIV-1-discordant couples in developing countries, including an analysis of transmission rates within discordant couples, description of biological and behavioral characteristics important in planning HIV-1 vaccine and prevention trials, and challenges faced when carrying out such studies.
Keywords: HIV, discordant, couples, Africa, heterosexual transmission
Current HIV Research
Title: HIV-1-Discordant Couples in Sub-Saharan Africa: Explanations and Implications for High Rates of Discordancy
Volume: 5 Issue: 4
Author(s): Brandon L. Guthrie, Guy de Bruyn and Carey Farquhar
Affiliation:
Keywords: HIV, discordant, couples, Africa, heterosexual transmission
Abstract: In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 1 in 2 HIV-1-infected persons living in a couple have a serodiscordant partner. Recent data suggest a large proportion of new HIV-1 infections in mature epidemics occur within discordant couples, making discordancy a major contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa. What accounts for high rates of HIV-1 discordance and why some individuals remain uninfected despite repeated sexual exposure to HIV-1 is unknown. Studying HIV-1-discordant couples may contribute to understanding correlates of HIV-1 immunity and acute infection. Additionally, HIV-1-discordant couples are an important population for prevention efforts. Consequently, HIV-1-discordant couples are increasingly viewed as a valuable source of participants for HIV vaccine and prevention trials. This review summarizes and critiques existing data on HIV-1-discordant couples in developing countries, including an analysis of transmission rates within discordant couples, description of biological and behavioral characteristics important in planning HIV-1 vaccine and prevention trials, and challenges faced when carrying out such studies.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Brandon L. Guthrie , Guy de Bruyn and Carey Farquhar , HIV-1-Discordant Couples in Sub-Saharan Africa: Explanations and Implications for High Rates of Discordancy, Current HIV Research 2007; 5 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016207781023992
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016207781023992 |
Print ISSN 1570-162X |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4251 |

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Genetically Engineered Stem Cells for Therapeutic Gene Delivery
Current Gene Therapy Estrogen Receptor-Positive and Estrogen Receptor-Negative Human Breast Cancer Cells: Regulation of Expression of Cancer-Related Genes by Estradiol and Tamoxifen
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Fractional Flow Reserve: Physiological Basis, Advantages and Limitations, and Potential Gender Differences
Current Cardiology Reviews The Central Vasopressinergic System: Examining the Opportunities for Psychiatric Drug Development
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Good Candidate for Restenosis Therapy?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Cathepsin K Inhibitors: A Novel Target but Promising Approach in the Treatment of Osteoporosis
Current Drug Targets Eicosanoids Derived From Arachidonic Acid and Their Family Prostaglandins and Cyclooxygenase in Psychiatric Disorders
Current Neuropharmacology A Review of Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Current Women`s Health Reviews Antioxidant Therapy in Alzheimers Disease: Theory and Practice
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Agents of Immunomodulation and Neuroprotection
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Genetic Alterations in Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers
Current Genomics Hemopoiesis in Ph-Negative Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy The Importance of Lost Minerals in Heart Failure
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacological Interference With Protein-protein Interactions of Akinase Anchoring Proteins as a Strategy for the Treatment of Disease
Current Drug Targets Mechanisms of Salt-Sensitive Hypertension
Current Hypertension Reviews Visceral Adiposity Measurements, Metabolic and Inflammatory Profi le in Obese Patients with and Without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Crosssectional Analysis
Current Diabetes Reviews Autoimmunity and Apoptosis - Therapeutic Implications
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Thymus During HIV Disease: Role in Pathogenesis and in Immune Recovery
Current HIV Research The Multidomain Mobility Lab in Older Persons: From Bench to Bedside. The Assessment of Body Composition in Older Persons at Risk of Mobility Limitations
Current Pharmaceutical Design Neurotransmitter Effects in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Simian Immuno-Deficiency Virus (SIV) Infection
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry