Systemic immune activation and microbial translocation in dual HIV/tuberculosis-infected subjects

Abstract

Background. Systemic immune activation is a strong predictor of progression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease and a prominent feature of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Objective. To understand the role of systemic immune activation and microbial translocation in HIV/tuberculosis dually infected patients over the full spectrum of HIV-1 immunodeficiency, we studied circulating sCD14 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and their relationship to HIV-1 activity.Methods. Two cohorts of HIV/tuberculosis subjects defined by CD4 T-cell count at time of diagnosis of tuberculosis were studied: those with low (<350/μL) and those with high (≥350/μL) CD4 T-cell count. Circulating soluble CD14 (sCD14) and LPS were assessed.Results. Levels of sCD14 were higher in HIV/tuberculosis with high (≥350/μL) as compared to low CD4 T-cell count (P