HIV p24 Antigen Antibodies to HIV1 HIV2 and TNF-α Level in the Plasma of Unbooked Teenage Pregnant Women
Author(s): Mathew Folaranmi Olaniyan*, Tolulope Busayo Ojediran and Gbenga Shedrack Olayinka
Abstract
Introduction: Teenage pregnancy can occur out of wedlock which is often associated with a social stigma or within marriage. It is associated with poor healthcare as many may not be unbooked, medical problems such as infections/inflammatory responses, social issues, including lower educational levels and poverty.
Aim and objective: This work was designed to determine HIV p24 antigen - antibodies to HIV-1/HIV-2 and TNF-α level in the plasma of unbooked teenage pregnant women to provide useful information for successful teenage pregnancy outcome.
Materials and methods: Thirty one (31) unbooked teenage pregnant women (15–19 years); 23 unbooked pregnant women aged ≥ 20 years; 20 booked teenage pregnant women (15–19 years) and 50 non-pregnant women (15–41 years; Control) who were negative to Ziehl Neelsen Staining for Acid Fast Bacilli, Giemsa Thick Blood Film for Plasmodium, HBsAg and Anti-HCV assays were recruited for the work. HIV p24 antigen-antibodies and TNF-α were determined in the women by ELISA.
Results: The frequency of HIV p24 antigen - antibodies to HIV-1/HIV-2 (HIV p24Ag-Ab) obtained in the subjects include 3.2% (1) Unbooked teenage pregnant women; 8.7% (2) Unbooked pregnant women aged ≥ 20 years; 0% (0) Booked teenage pregnant; women; 4% (2) Non-pregnant women and 2% (1) Booked and unbooked teenage pregnant women. The results obtained showed a significant increase in plasma TNF-α in unbooked teenage pregnant women compared with the value obtained in non-pregnant women (p<0.05). There was a significantly lower plasma TNF-α in unbooked teenage pregnant women than the value obtained in HIVp24Ag-Ab positive teenage pregnant women (p<0.05). There was a significantly higher plasma TNF-α unbooked pregnant women aged ≥ 20 years than in non-pregnant women (p<0.05). There was a significantly higher plasma TNF-α in booked teenage pregnant women than the results obtained in non-pregnant women (p<0.05). There was a significantly higher plasma TNF-α in HIVp24Ag-Ab positive teenage pregnant women than in HIVp24Ag-Ab negative teenage pregnant women (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The frequency of HIV p24Ag-Ab was higher in unbooked pregnant women aged ≥ 20 years than in teenage pregnant and non-pregnant women; in unbook than the book teenage pregnant women and also in non-pregnant women than the teenage pregnant women while plasma TNF-α was significantly increased in unbook teenage pregnant women including pregnant women aged 20 years and above and HIV p24Ag-Ab positive teenage pregnant women.