Gut microbial diversity in HIV infection post combined antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

Purpose of reviewAlthough the HIV-infected population is living longer and getting older under current treatment regimens, significant challenges arise for health management as the infection is associated with various premature aging phenotypes, particularly increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Here we review the current understanding of HIV-related gut dysbiosis in association with CVD and advances in clinical trials aiming to restore gut microbial diversity.Recent findingIdentification of a unique signature for gut dysbiosis in HIV infection between different cohorts remains challenging. However, low diversity of microbiota combined with the outgrowth of pathogenic bacterial species together with dysregulated metabolic pathways have been linked to compromised gut immunity, bacterial translocation and systemic inflammation, hence higher CVD risk among different cohorts. Data from recent clinical trials aiming to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of probiotics in treated HIV+ patients are promising and support a significant increase in microbiota diversity and reduction of systemic inflammation. However, the impact of these microbial and immunological corrections on the prevalence of CVD in HIV+ patients remains unclear.SummaryPositive immunological outcomes following enrichment of the gut microbial diversity have been documented, and further trials are in progress to evaluate the range of patients, with different immunological backgrounds, who might benefit from these treatments.

16S rRNA gene sequencing reveals an altered composition of the gut microbiota in chickens infected with a nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus

“…Higher diversity and integrity of gut microbiota is favourable to the intestinal ecosystem 41,42 . According to recent research, viral infection can lower microbial diversity in the gut microbiota according to recent research [43][44][45] . Consistent with previous findings, in this study, our results demonstrated that NIBV infection decreases the diversity and richness of gut microbiota ( Fig.…”

Gut Microbial Metabolites Associated With HIV Infection

“…The complex diet metabolism is dependent on multiple factors and could be affected by host genetic factors, host health status, diet quality and habits [117], as well as diverse microbial communities present in the gastrointestinal tract. Diet metabolism by gut microbiota produces small-molecule metabolites that could interfere with physiological processes such as immune homeostasis, energy metabolism, vascular function and neurological behavior [118,119]. However, the effects of dietary supplements on the gut microbial metabolites in HIV infection have been explored only to a limited extent.…”

Composition of gut microbiota of children and adolescents with perinatal HIV infection taking antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe

“…Moreover, gut dysbiosis, and associated microbial translocation may drive systemic chronic inflammation, which increases the risk of chronic noninfectious HIV complications, such as cardiovascular disease and lung complications [ 13–16 ].…”