Vitamin A to Reduce HIV in Vaginal Secretions and Prevent Viral Transmission

Vitamin A deficiency leads to pathological changes in mucosal epithelium, including the vagina, and is correlated with immune dysfunction in both HIV-1 infected and uninfected individuals. Recent studies of genital tract shedding of HIV-1 DNA in infected women have found that lower serum concentrations of vitamin A were strongly associated with detection of HIV-1 in vaginal secretions. In addition, maternal vitamin A deficiency has been associated with significantly increased risk of vertical HIV-1 transmission. This study will assess the effect of vitamin A supplementation on the prevalence and quantity of HIV-1 DNA and RNA in cervical and vaginal secretions.

Participants in this study will be HIV infected nonpregnant women in Mombasa, Kenya. Participants will be randomized to receive 6 weeks of daily dosage of either 10,000 IU vitamin A or placebo. Cervical and vaginal swabs will be obtained at enrollment and at Week 6 for detection and quantification of HIV-1 DNA and RNA. In addition, venous blood will be obtained at the two time points for quantification of plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4 lymphocyte count, and serum vitamin A levels.