Browsing by Author "Wang, Lei"

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    Analysis of HIV Diversity Using a High-Resolution Melting Assay
    (AIDS research and human retroviruses, 2010) Towler, William I.; James, Maria M.; Ray, Stuart C.; Wang, Lei; Donnell, Deborah; Mwatha, Anthony; Guay, Laura; Nakabiito, Clemensia; Musoke, Philippa; Jackson, J. Brooks; Eshleman, Susan
    HIV viruses are usually genetically homogeneous shortly after infection, and become more heterogeneous over time. We developed a high-resolution melting (HRM) assay to analyze HIV diversity without sequencing. Plasma samples from the HIVNET 012 trial were obtained from nine Ugandan mother–infant pairs. DNA amplified from the HIV gag region was analyzed to determine the number of degrees over which the DNA melted (HRM score). HRM gag DNA was also cloned and sequenced (50 clones/mother; 20 clones/infant). The median HRM score for infants (4.3, range 4.2–5.3) was higher than that for control plasmids (3.4, range 3.2–3.8, p < 0.001) and lower than that for mothers (5.7, range 4.4–7.7, p = 0.005, exact Wilcoxon rank sum test). The intraclass correlation coefficient reflecting assay reproducibility was 94% (95% CI: 89–98%). HRM scores were also compared to sequenced-based measures of HIV diversity; higher HRM scores were associated with higher genetic diversity (p < 0.001), complexity (p = 0.009), and Shannon entropy (p = 0.022), but not with length variation (p = 0.111). The HRM assay provides a novel, rapid method for assessing HIV diversity without sequencing. This assay could be applied to any region of the HIV genome or to other genetic systems that exhibit DNA diversity.
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    Association of HIV Diversity and Survival in HIV-Infected Ugandan Infants
    (PLoS One, 2011) James, Maria M.; Wang, Lei; Musoke, Philippa; Donnell, Deborah; Fogel, Jessica; Towler, William I.; Khaki, Leila; Nakabiito, Clemensia; Jackson, J. Brooks; Eshleman, Susan H.
    Background: The level of viral diversity in an HIV-infected individual can change during the course of HIV infection, reflecting mutagenesis during viral replication and selection of viral variants by immune and other selective pressures. Differences in the level of viral diversity in HIV-infected infants may reflect differences in viral dynamics, immune responses, or other factors that may also influence HIV disease progression. We used a novel high resolution melting (HRM) assay to measure HIV diversity in Ugandan infants and examined the relationship between diversity and survival through 5 years of age. Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from 31 HIV-infected infants (HIVNET 012 trial). The HRM assay was used to measure diversity in two regions in the gag gene (Gag1 and Gag2) and one region in the pol gene (Pol). Results: HRM scores in all three regions increased with age from 6–8 weeks to 12–18 months (for Gag1: P = 0.005; for Gag2: P = 0.006; for Pol: P = 0.016). Higher HRM scores at 6–8 weeks of age (scores above the 75th percentile) were associated with an increased risk of death by 5 years of age (for Pol: P = 0.005; for Gag1/Gag2 (mean of two scores): P = 0.003; for Gag1/ Gag2/Pol (mean of three scores): P = 0.002). We did not find an association between HRM scores and other clinical and laboratory variables. Conclusions: Genetic diversity in HIV gag and pol measured using the HRM assay was typically low near birth and increased over time. Higher HIV diversity in these regions at 6–8 weeks of age was associated with a significantly increased risk of death by 5 years of age
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    Association of HIV Diversity and Survival in HIV-Infected Ugandan Infants
    (PLoS One, 2011) James, Maria M.; Wang, Lei; Musoke, Philippa; Donnell, Deborah; Fogel, Jessica; Towler, William I.; Khaki, Leila; Nakabiito, Clemensia; Jackson, J. Brooks; Eshleman, Susan H.
    The level of viral diversity in an HIV-infected individual can change during the course of HIV infection, reflecting mutagenesis during viral replication and selection of viral variants by immune and other selective pressures. Differences in the level of viral diversity in HIV-infected infants may reflect differences in viral dynamics, immune responses, or other factors that may also influence HIV disease progression. We used a novel high resolution melting (HRM) assay to measure HIV diversity in Ugandan infants and examined the relationship between diversity and survival through 5 years of age.Plasma samples were obtained from 31 HIV-infected infants (HIVNET 012 trial). The HRM assay was used to measure diversity in two regions in the gag gene (Gag1 and Gag2) and one region in the pol gene (Pol).HRM scores in all three regions increased with age from 6–8 weeks to 12–18 months (for Gag1: P = 0.005; for Gag2: P = 0.006; for Pol: P = 0.016). Higher HRM scores at 6–8 weeks of age (scores above the 75th percentile) were associated with an increased risk of death by 5 years of age (for Pol: P = 0.005; for Gag1/Gag2 (mean of two scores): P = 0.003; for Gag1/Gag2/Pol (mean of three scores): P = 0.002). We did not find an association between HRM scores and other clinical and laboratory variables.Genetic diversity in HIV gag and pol measured using the HRM assay was typically low near birth and increased over time. Higher HIV diversity in these regions at 6–8 weeks of age was associated with a significantly increased risk of death by 5 years of age.
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    Feasibility and Safety of ALVAC-HIV vCP1521 Vaccine in HIVexposed Infants in Uganda: Results from the First HIV Vaccine Trial in Infants in Africa
    (Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes, 2013) Kintu, Kenneth Guay; Andrew, Philip; Musoke, Philippa; Richardson, Paul; Asiimwe- Kateera, Brenda; Nakyanzi, Teopista; Wang, Lei; Glenn Fowler, Mary; Emel, Lynda; Ou, San-San; Baglyos, Lynn; Gurunathan, Sanjay; Zwerski, Sheryl; Jackson, J. Brooks; Guay, Laura
    The development of a safe and effective vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) for prevention mother-to-child transmission of HIV would significantly advance the goal of eliminating HIV infection in children. Safety and feasibility results from Phase I, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of ALVACHIV vCP1521 in infants born to HIV-1-infected women in Uganda are reported. Methods—HIV exposed infants were enrolled at birth and randomized (4:1) to receive vaccine or saline placebo intramuscular injections at birth, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age. Vaccine reactogenicity was assessed at vaccination, and days 1 and 2 post-vaccination. Infants were followed until 24 months of age. HIV infection status was determined by HIV DNA PCR. Findings—From October 2006 to May 2007, 60 infants (48 vaccine, 12 placebo) were enrolled with 98% retention at 24 months. One infant was withdrawn, but there were no missed visits or vaccinations among the 59 infants retained. Immune responses elicited by Diptheria, Polio, Hepatitis B and Heamophilus influenzae type B and measles vaccination were similar in the two arms. The vaccine was well tolerated with no severe or life-threatening reactogenicity events. Adverse events were equally distributed across both study arms. Four infants were diagnosed as HIV infected [3 at birth (2 vaccine, 1 placebo) and one in vaccine arm at 2 weeks of age]. Interpretation—The ALVAC-HIV vCP1521 vaccination was feasible and safe in infants born to HIV-infected women in Uganda. The conduct of high quality infant HIV vaccine trials is achievable in Africa.
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    Use of a High Resolution Melting Assay to Analyze HIV Diversity in HIV-infected Ugandan Children
    (The Pediatric infectious disease journal, 2012) James, Maria M.; Wang, Lei; Donnell, Deborah; Cousins, Matthew M.; Mosha, Linda Barlow; Fogel, Jessica M.; Towler, William I.; Agwu, Allison L.; Bagenda, Danstan; Mubiru, Micheal; Musoke, Philippa; Eshleman, Susan H.
    We used a novel high resolution melting (HRM) diversity assay to analyze HIV diversity in Ugandan children (ages 0.6 to 12.4 years) who were enrolled in an observational study of antiretroviral treatment (ART). Children were maintained on ART if they were clinically and immunologically stable.HIV diversity was measured prior to ART (baseline) in 76 children and after 48 or 96 weeks of ART in 14 children who were not virally suppressed. HIV diversity (expressed as HRM scores) was measured in six regions of the HIV genome (two in gag, one in pol, three in env).Higher baseline HRM scores were significantly associated with older age (≥ 2 years, P ≤ 0.001 for all six regions). HRM scores from different regions were weakly correlated. Higher baseline HRM scores in three regions (one in gag, two in env) were associated with ART failure. HIV diversity was lower in four regions (two in gag, one in pol, one in env) after 48 to 96 weeks of non-suppressive ART compared to baseline.Higher levels of HIV diversity were observed in older children prior to ART and higher levels of diversity in some regions of the HIV genome were associated with ART failure. Prolonged exposure to non-suppressive ART was associated with a significant decrease in viral diversity in selected regions of the HIV genome.