CHIKV infection is highly symptomatic and is associated with high-titred viremia. The viremic levels in asymptomatic CHIKV-infected individuals were in the range known to be capable of transmitting the disease to experimental animals. Asymptomatic CHIKV viremia individuals could be potential disseminators of transfusion-associated chikungunya.

BACKGROUND The objectives of this study were to determine 1) oral hBD2 expression in HIV-infected subjects compared to non-HIV controls, 2) the expression of oral hBD2 in HIV-infected subjects with ART compared with those without ART, and 3) factors associated with the expression of oral hBD2. METHODS Oral examination and punched biopsy on buccal mucosa were performed in HIV-infected subjects with and without ART, and non-HIV individuals. The expression of hBD2 mRNA was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Saliva samples of both un-stimulated and stimulated saliva were collected and analyzed for hBD2 levels using ELISA. Student’s t-test and nonparametric multi-way ANOVA test were used for comparison of measurements between or among groups. RESULTS One hundred and fifty-seven HIV-infected subjects were enrolled; 99 on ART (age range 23–57 yr, mean 39 yr), 58 not on ART (age range 20–59 yr, mean 34 yr), and 50 non-HIV controls (age range 19–59 yr, mean 36 yr). The most common ART regimen was 2 NRTIs+1 NNRTI. Salivary levels of hBD2 were significantly increased in HIV infection (p< 0.001). The levels of hBD2 in stimulated saliva were also found to be significantly different between HIV-infected subjects who were and were not on ART (p< 0.001). No significant difference was observed with the expression of hBD2 mRNA. CONCLUSION Oral innate immunity is affected by HIV infection and use of ART. Salivary hBD2 levels may be the useful biomarkers to monitor those on long-term ART who are at risk of developing oral infections and malignant transformation.

BACKGROUND The objectives of this study were to determine 1) expression of oral secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in HIV-infected subjects compared to non-HIV controls, 2) the oral SLPI expression in HIV-infected subjects with ART compared to those without ART, and 3) factors associated with the expression of oral SLPI. METHODS Oral tissues and samples of both un-stimulated and stimulated saliva were collected from HIV-infected subjects with and without ART, and non-HIV individuals. The expression of SLPI mRNA in the tissue was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Salivary SLPI protein was detected using ELISA. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the association between HIV/ART status and the expression of oral SLPI. RESULTS One hundred and fifty-seven HIV-infected subjects were enrolled; 99 on ART (age range 23–57 yr, mean 39 yr), 58 not on ART (age range 20–59 yr, mean 34 yr), and 50 non-HIV controls (age range 19–59 yr, mean 36 yr). The most common ART regimen was 2 NRTIs+1 NNRTI. The expression of oral SLPI in stimulated saliva was significantly decreased with HIV infection (p< 0.001). The expression was also significantly different with respect to ART use (p=0.007). Smoking, CD4+ cell count, and HIV viral load were the factors associated with the oral SLPI expression. CONCLUSION The expression of oral SLPI is altered by HIV infection and use of ART. Thus, oral SLPI may be the useful biomarker to identify subjects at risk of infections and malignant transformation due to HIV infection and long-term ART.