Detection of HIV RNA by in situ hybridization in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of seronegative children born to HIV-infected mothers

Of 44 children born to human immunodeficiency virus (type 1) (HIV)-infected mothers, 11 have become seronegative. After the loss of maternal antibodies all children were analysed for several immunological functions and virological parameters in order to determine their HIV status. All children to date are clinically healthy and have normal immune functions. HIV-1 was detected by p24 antigen in one child, by in situ hybridization in nine children while viral cultures were all negative. These data suggest that the rate of vertical transmission of HIV-1 may be underestimated if seronegative children are considered to be not infected. They also suggest that molecular biological techniques are more sensitive than HIV antigen assay or viral cultures.