Vitamin A serostatus and heterosexual transmission of HIV: case-control study in Tanzania and review of the evidence.
Villamor, Eduardo;
Kapiga, Saidi H;
Fawzi, Wafaie W;
(2006)
Vitamin A serostatus and heterosexual transmission of HIV: case-control study in Tanzania and review of the evidence.
International journal for vitamin and nutrition research Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition, 76 (2).
pp. 81-85.
ISSN 0300-9831
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1024/0300-9831.76.2.81
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Results from a randomized clinical trial suggested that vitamin A/beta-carotene supplementation to HIV-1-infected women during pregnancy and lactation may increase the risk of vertical transmission. Limited information is available on the potential role of vitamin A on heterosexual HIV transmission. This is a relevant question in many resource-limited settings where both vitamin A deficiency and HIV infection are highly prevalent. We conducted a case-control study (34 cases and 38 controls) nested within a cohort of HIV-negative women attending family planning clinics in Tanzania, to examine whether low serum concentrations at baseline were associated with the risk of seroconversion. There was not a significant association (OR = 2.14, 95% C I = 0.54, 8.45). In light of these and previous results, we conclude that there is not enough evidence yet to suggest a causal association between vitamin A and heterosexual transmission.