Associations Between the Gut Microbiome, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Profiles in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract

Background: Inflammation and innate immune activation are associated with chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, despite effective treatment. Although gut microbiota alterations are linked to systemic inflammation, their relationship with HIV infection the relationships between the gut microbiome, inflammation, and HIV remains unclear. Methods: The HIV UPBEAT Coronary Artery Disease sub-study evaluated cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with and without HIV. Subclinical CVD was assessed using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Thirty-four biomarkers were measured using quantitative immunoassays. Stool samples underwent 16S rRNA sequencing. Differentially abundant species were identified by analysis of compositions of microbiomes with bias correction (ANCOM-BC) and correlated to biomarkers, diet, and CCTA outcomes using Spearman correlation. Results: Among 81 participants (median age, 51 years; 73% male), people with HIV (n = 44) had higher rates of hypercholesterolemia (P