From article https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c6eOAp-9Fqg5JNd9c62lPfXwWsChA5WH/v

Question

From article https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c6eOAp-9Fqg5JNd9c62lPfXwWsChA5WH/view, answer Question 3 from Part VII - Societal Implications of HIV Protection

Questions 3. A recent article in a popular science magazine (Wallace, 2009) reported on the study that uninfected partners of HIV-infected men who practice oral sex have higher levels of HIV-specifi c antibodies in their saliva. Th e title and subtitle of the articles were: “HIV resistance through oral sex: A new study suggests that repeated exposure can help produce resistant antibodies.” Discuss the accuracy of this title. Does it represent what’s known about this fi eld of investigation appropriately? Why or why not? What sort of eff ects might this title have in our society?

Explanation / Answer

“Repeated exposure can help produce resistant antibodies.” the accuracy of this title seems pretty good because there are many studies/ growing evidences which support this argument that unprotected oral sex evokes a salivary IgA1-mediated HIV-neutralizing response that persists over time during continuous exposure in uninfected male partners of infected men.

But this does not represent what’s known about this field of investigation appropriately. It is against the traditional view. Traditionally it is known that mainly in countries with predominantly low-income populations, the oral transmission of HIV-1 (HIV) from infected mothers to nursing infants is an unquestioned route of infection. But the evidence regarding oral transmission of HIV in adult human populations, via oral sexual intercourse, is growing. Although the mechanisms of transmitting HIV orally need better definition, it is clear that tonsilar lymphoid tissues are susceptible to infection.

We know that the virus is present in both seminal and preseminal fluid, and several case studies have documented exclusively oral sex with an infected individual as the probable cause of HIV transmission. However, studies of the corresponding mucosal immune responses to HIV exposure during oral sex are rare, especially in men who have sex with men. Yet, this issue is of considerable importance for the understanding of viral transmission and for the development of new prophylactic measures.

Research on HIV-exposed uninfected individuals (EUI) has defined several immune responses and genetic factors that are associated with protection against mucosal HIV transmission. Indeed, an association of genital mucosal HIV-neutralizing IgA1 antibodies and HIV non-acquisition was recently found in a prospective study on HIV-exposed women. To further this investigation, we examined a previously unpublished cohort of HIV-serodiscordant male couples to determine whether oral exposure to HIV elicits neutralizing salivary activity and, if so, whether this response persists over time.

Finally we can say that Unprotected oral sex evokes a salivary IgA1-mediated HIV-neutralizing response that persists over time during continuous exposure in uninfected male partners of infected men.

Oral receptive sex, a behaviour commonly performed by both partners in male/male couples, has previously been viewed as a possible means of HIV transmission. But now it may change the view of society towards role of oral sex in HIV transmission.

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