UNC study: Common vaginal infection may increase risk of HIV infection

Other research has shown that BV results in several changes in the vagina that could explain why it increases the risk of HIV, such as a depletion in a type of bacteria that are believed to play a role in defending the vagina against microorganisms including HIV, and higher pH levels that may increase the adherence and survival of the virus.

The studies analyzed by Smith and colleagues included women from the U.S., Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Gambia. Prevalence of BV in women in these countries ranged from about 11 percent to as high as 70 percent.

The analysis of data indicates that BV increases the risk of acquiring HIV by about 60 percent. The association between BV and HIV infection was weaker in high HIV-risk groups, Smith said. "That may be because women in high-risk groups have a greater risk of acquiring HIV from causes other than BV. This could be helpful information in identifying which populations would be helped most through targeted bacterial vaginosis control measures."

In addition to Smith, researchers from the UNC department of epidemiology who contributed to the study included doctoral student Julius Atashili; associate professor Charles Poole; and associate professor Adaora Adimora. Peter Ndumbe of the Center for the Study and Control of Communicable Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon, was also a co-author.

Note: Smith can be reached at (919) 966-7450 or .

School of Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, (919) 966-7467,
News Services contact: Patric Lane, (919) 962-8596,