Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α in zairian neonate plasmas: Implications for perinatal infection with the human immunodeficiency virus

Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and the ability of plasmas to induce HIV expression in chronically infected cell lines were measured in samples from adults, cord blood, and neonates from Zaire and North America. Plasma levels of TNFα were higher in Zairian neonates born to HIV-negative and -positive mothers than in uninfected Zairian adults (612 vs. 128 vs. 8 pg/mL, P <.001); this dichotomy persisted until children were 9 months old. Plasmas from neonates of HIV-negative Zairian mothers also stimulated higher levels of reverse transcriptase from HIV-infected cell lines than did plasmas from HIV-negative Zairian adults (1339 vs. 110 cpm, P <.001). Similar patterns were noted in plasmas from HIV-negative North American adults and neonates; however, TNFα levels were markedly lower, and smaller differences were noted among North American adults and neonates than those in the Zairian cohort. Markedly elevated plasma TNFα levels in Zairian neonates and infants may play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of HIV disease in this patient population.