Longitudinal Assessment of Systemic and Genital Tract Inflammatory Markers and Endogenous Genital Tract E. coli Inhibitory Activity in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Women

• Published in: American journal of reproductive immunology (1989) Vol. 75; no. 6; pp. 631 - 642
• Main Authors: Keller, Marla J., McGinn, Aileen P., Lo, Yungtai, Huber, Ashley, Espinoza, Lilia, Minkoff, Howard, Colie, Christine, Nowicki, Marek J., D'Souza, Gypsyamber, Anastos, Kathryn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-06-2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use; Antiretroviral drugs; Bacterial vaginosis; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Cell Growth Processes; Cytokines - blood; E coli; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - immunology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; genital tract; Genitalia, Female - immunology; Genitalia, Female - microbiology; Genitalia, Female - virology; HIV; HIV - physiology; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - immunology; HIV Infections - microbiology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Immunity, Mucosal; inflammation; Inflammation - immunology; Inflammation - microbiology; Inflammation - virology; Inflammation Mediators - blood; Lentivirus; Middle Aged; mucosal immunity; Prospective Studies; Vaginosis, Bacterial - immunology; Vaginosis, Bacterial - virology; Viral Load - immunology; Virus Shedding - immunology; genital tract; Bacterial vaginosis; HIV; inflammation; mucosal immunity
• ISSN: 1046-7408; 1600-0897
• DOI: 10.1111/aji.12518

Problem
Stability over time of systemic and mucosal immunity and their associations with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and HIV‐specific parameters were assessed.
Method of Study
Immune mediators and HIV viral load in plasma and cervicovaginal lavage (CVL), E. coli inhibition, and Nugent score were measured at three semiannual visits among 94 participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Mixed models identified the factors associated with immune mediators.
Results
There was higher E. coli inhibition and lower inflammation over time in the genital tract and systemically. BV was consistently associated with higher CVL inflammatory mediators and lower CVL E. coli inhibition. HIV‐infected women with higher CD4 counts had lower systemic and genital inflammatory mediators, and genital HIV shedding was associated with higher CVL inflammatory mediators. Use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) was associated with lower plasma and CVL mediators, but higher E. coli inhibition.
Conclusion
HIV and BV are linked to inflammation, and ART may be associated with improved vaginal health.