Tissue-Associated Cytokine Expression in HIV-Positive Persons with Oropharyngeal Candidiasis

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 190; no. 3; pp. 605 - 612
• Main Authors: Lilly, Elizabeth A., Hart, Darrenn J., Leigh, Janet E., Hager, Shannon, McNulty, Kelly M., Mercante, Donald E., Fidel, Paul L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL University of Chicago Press 01-08-2004; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - immunology; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Biological and medical sciences; Blood; Candida albicans; Candida albicans - immunology; Candidiasis; Candidiasis, Oral - immunology; Candidiasis, Oral - microbiology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Chemokines; Complementary DNA; Cytokines; Cytokines - genetics; Cytokines - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HIV; HIV Seropositivity - complications; HIV Seropositivity - drug therapy; HIV/AIDS; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infections; Infectious diseases; Lesions; Medical sciences; Messenger RNA; Microbiology; Oropharynx - immunology; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; T lymphocytes; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Human; Infection; Immunopathology; Candidiasis; Mycosis; Microbiology; Viral disease; Cytokine; AIDS; Immune deficiency
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1086/422154

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), caused by Candida albicanSy is the most common infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HlV)-positive persons. Although CD4+ T cells are considered to be important for host defense against C. albicans at the oral mucosa, a recent immunohistochemical evaluation of T cells in OPC lesions of HIV-positive persons with reduced CD4* T cells showed high numbers of CD8+ T cells. The present study investigated tissue-associated expression of cytokine and chemokine mRNA at the site of infection. Results showed some effects of HIV (primarily increased chemokine mRNA levels) but little effect of blood CD4+ T cells. In contrast, mRNA for several proinflammatory, T helper, and CD8+ T cell-associated cytokines and chemokines were increased in subjects with OPC versus those without. These results support the presence of CD8+ T cells in OPC lesions and suggest evidence for a response against OPC, despite reduced levels of CDr T cells.