Study reveals an increase in mothers' susceptibility of HIV infection during pregnancy and postpartum

Scholars conducted a study to determine how changes in vaginal microbiota and/or cervicovaginal cytokines may mediate women’s increased risk of HIV acquisition during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

This study included 80 women who collected samples at different times; periconception, positive pregnancy test, first trimester, second trimester, third trimester and early postpartum period.

The scholars concluded that an Increase in proinflammatory cytokines, but not vaginal bacterial taxa previously associated with HIV risk, could provide an explanation for increased HIV susceptibility during pregnancy and postpartum.

More on this study can be found here.