Rationale: Before the introduction of combination antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, patients infected with HIV had an increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function abnormalities. The prevalence and exact phenotype of pulmonary abnormalities in the current era are unknown. In addition, these abnormalities may be underdiagnosed. Objectives: Our objective was to determine the current burden of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function abnormalities, and associated risk factors in individuals infected with HIV. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 167 participants infected with HIV who underwent pulmonary function testing. Measurements and Main Results: Respiratory symptoms were present in 47.3% of participants and associated with intravenous drug use (odds ratio [OR] 3.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-10.046; P 5 0.01). Only 15% had previous pulmonary testing. Pulmonary function abnormalities were common with 64.1% of participants having diffusion impairment and 21% having irreversible airway obstruction. Diffusion impairment was independently associated with ever smoking (OR 2.46; 95% CI, 1.16-5.21; P 5 0.02) and Pneumocystis pneumonia prophylaxis (OR 2.94; 95% CI, 1.10-7.86; P 5 0.01), whereas irreversible airway obstruction was independently associated with pack-years smoked (OR 1.03 per pack-year; 95% CI, 1.01-1.05; P , 0.01), intravenous drug use (OR 2.87; 95% CI, 1.15-7.09; P 5 0.02), and the use of ARV therapy (OR 6.22; 95% CI, 1.19-32.43; P 5 0.03). Conclusions: Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function abnormalities remain common in individuals infected with HIV. Smoking and intravenous drug use are still important risk factors for pulmonary abnormalities, but ARV may be a novel risk factor for irreversible airway obstruction. Obstructive lung disease is likely underdiagnosed in this population.Keywords: HIV; respiratory function tests; smoking; antiretroviral therapy, highly active; AIDS Pulmonary complications have been a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV infection (1, 2). With the development of combination antiretroviral (ARV) therapy and improvements in prophylaxis for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and other opportunistic infections, the incidence of infectious pulmonary complications has decreased drastically in patients with HIV infection (1, 3, 4). Changes in noninfectious pulmonary complications, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, are less clear, and these diseases may actually be increasing. Studies before the introduction of combination ARV demonstrated that persons with HIV infection had a higher prevalence of impaired diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL CO ), increased emphysema, accelerated airway obstruction and small airways disease, and more frequent respiratory symptoms than subjects not infected with HIV (2, 5-8).Limited data exist regarding the extent and types of pulmonary function abnormalities in the current era. In one recent study, veterans with HIV infection had an increased risk of COPD compared wi...

Objective To determine relationship of echocardiographic measures of pulmonary hypertension to lung function and inflammatory biomarkers in HIV-infected individuals. Design Cross-sectional study of 116 HIV-infected outpatients. Methods Doppler-echocardiography and pulmonary function testing were performed. Induced sputum and plasma cytokines, sputum cell counts and differentials, markers of peripheral T cell activation, and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses determined relationship of echocardiographic variables to pulmonary function, inflammation, and NT-proBNP. Results Mean estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) was 34.3 mmHg (SD 6.9) and mean tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV) was 2.5 m/sec (SD 0.32). Eighteen participants (15.5%) had PASP of at least 40 mmHg, and 9 (7.8%) had TRV of at least 3.0 m/sec. Elevated TRV was significantly associated with CD4 cell counts below 200 cells/μl and higher log HIV RNA levels. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) percent predicted, FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) percent predicted were significantly lower in those with elevated PASP or TRV. Sputum interleukin-8, peripheral interleukin-8, peripheral interferon-γ levels, and CD8+ T-cell expression of CD69+ were associated increased with increasing PASP and TRV. Log NT-proBNP was significantly higher with increasing PASP and TRV. Left ventricular function was not associated with PASP or TRV. Conclusions Echocardiographic manifestations of pulmonary hypertension are common in HIV and are associated with respiratory symptoms, more advanced HIV disease, airway obstruction, abnormal DLco, and systemic and pulmonary inflammation. Pulmonary hypertension and COPD coexist in HIV and may arise secondary to common inflammatory mechanisms.

Background Translocation of gastrointestinal bacteria in HIV-infected individuals is associated with systemic inflammation, HIV progression, mortality, and co-morbidities. HIV-infected individuals are also susceptible to fungal infection and colonization, but whether fungal translocation occurs and influences HIV progression or co-morbidities is unknown. Methods Serum (1→3)-β-D-glucan was measured by a Limulus Amebocyte Lysate assay (Fungitell®) in 132 HIV-infected outpatients. Selected plasma cytokines and markers of peripheral T-cell activation were measured. Pulmonary function testing and Doppler-echocardiography were performed. Relationship of high (≥40pg/ml) and low (<40pg/ml) levels of (1→3)-β-D-glucan with HIV-associated variables, inflammation markers, and pulmonary function and pulmonary hypertension measures were determined. Results Forty-eight percent had detectable (1→3)-β-D-glucan, and 16.7% had high levels. Individuals with high (1→3)-β-D-glucan were more likely to have CD4 counts below 200 cells/μl (31.8% vs. 8.4%, p=0.002), had higher log10 HIV viral levels (2.85 vs. 2.13 log copies/ml, p=0.004), and were less likely to use ART (68.2% vs. 90.0%, p=0.006). Plasma IL-8 (p=0.033), TNF-α (p=0.029), and CD8+CD38+ (p=0.046) andCD8+HLA-DR+ (p=0.029) were also increased with high levels. Abnormalities in diffusing capacity (p=0.041) and in pulmonary artery pressures (p=0.006 for pulmonary artery systolic pressure and 0.013 for tricuspid regurgitant velocity) were more common in those with high (1→3)-β-D-glucan. Conclusions We found evidence of peripheral fungal cell wall polysaccharides in an HIV-infected cohort. We also demonstrated an association between high serum (1→3)-β-D-glucan, HIV-associated immunosuppression, inflammation, and cardiopulmonary co-morbidity. These results implicate a new class of pathogen in HIV-associated microbial translocation and suggest a role in HIV progression and co-morbidities.

Objective Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common co-morbidity in HIV, with prevalence and severity of disease incompletely explained by risk factors such as smoking and age. Unique HIV-associated factors, including microbial translocation, monocyte activation, and endothelial dysfunction, have been described in other co-morbidities, but have not been investigated in relation to pulmonary abnormalities in HIV. This study assessed the relationship of these pathologic processes to pulmonary function in HIV-infected and uninfected individuals and determined if relationships were unique to HIV. Design Longitudinal observational study Methods 274 participants completed pulmonary function testing. Markers of inflammation (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α), microbial translocation (lipopolysaccharide, sCD14), monocyte activation (sCD163, sCD14, and IL-2 receptor), and endothelial dysfunction (endothelin-1) were measured at baseline. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed, adjusting for pertinent covariates. Results In HIV-infected individuals, higher IL-6 and endothelin-1 associated with worse FEV1 percent-predicted, and higher sCD163 associated with worse FEV1/FVC. IL-6, TNF-α, lipopolysaccharide, sCD163, IL-2 receptor, and endothelin-1 associated with diffusing impairment. sCD163 and endothelin-1 interacted with HIV status in relationship to pulmonary function. In HIV-infected individuals only, baseline endothelin-1 was associated with lower FEV1, and sCD163 and endothelin-1 were associated with lower diffusing capacity during follow-up. Conclusions Circulating markers of HIV-associated humoral abnormalities are associated with airflow obstruction and diffusing impairment, and baseline measures of monocyte activation and endothelial dysfunction associate with lower pulmonary function over time in HIV-infected persons. These findings suggest mechanisms of the disproportionate burden of COPD in HIV-infected persons.

Background Despite the high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and obstructive lung disease in HIV-infected persons, the prevalence of bronchodilator reversibility (BDR) and asthma has not been systematically studied during the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). Objective To determine the prevalence of asthma diagnosis and related pulmonary function abnormalities in an HIV-infected cohort and to identify potential mechanisms. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of 223 HIV-infected individuals with data on respiratory symptoms and diagnoses, pulmonary function, sputum cell counts, and asthma-related cytokines and chemokines in serum/sputum. Results Doctor-diagnosed asthma was present in 46 (20.6%) and BDR (≥200ml and ≥12% increase in FEV1 or FVC) in 20 participants (9.0%). Pulmonary symptoms and function were worse in those with doctor-diagnosed asthma. Doctor-diagnosed asthma was independently associated with female sex (p=0.04), body mass index >29.6kg/m2 (vs.<29.6kg/m2) (p=0.03), history of bacterial or Pneumocystis pneumonia (p=0.01), and with not currently taking ART (p=0.04), and in univariate analysis with parental history of asthma (n=180; p=0.004). High sputum eosinophil percentages (>2.3% based on the highest decile) were more likely in those with doctor-diagnosed asthma (p=0.02) or BDR (p=0.02). Doctor-diagnosed asthma tended to be more common with high sputum IL-4 (p=0.02) and RANTES (p=0.02), while BDR was associated with high plasma macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α (p=0.002), and sputum MIP-1β levels (p=0.001). Conclusion Asthma diagnosis and BDR are prevalent in an HIV-infected outpatient cohort, and associations with family history, obesity, allergic inflammation, prior infection, the absence of ART, and elevated HIV-stimulated cytokines suggest possible mechanisms of HIV-associated asthma.

Respiratory dysfunction is common in HIV, but few studies have directly assessed whether HIV remains an independent risk factor for pulmonary function abnormalities in the antiretroviral therapy era. Additionally, few studies have focused on pulmonary outcomes in HIV+ women. We tested associations between risk factors for respiratory dysfunction and pulmonary outcomes in 63 HIV+ and 36 HIV-uninfected women enrolled in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study. Diffusing capacity (DLCO) was significantly lower in HIV+ women (65.5% predicted vs. 72.7% predicted, p=0.01), and self-reported dyspnea in HIV+ participants was associated with both DLCO impairment and airflow obstruction. Providers should be aware that DLCO impairment is common in HIV and that either DLCO impairment or airflow obstruction may cause respiratory symptoms in this population.

ObjectiveTo review the incidence of respiratory conditions and their effect on mortality in HIV-infected and uninfected individuals prior to and during the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).DesignTwo large observational cohorts of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men (Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study [MACS]) and women (Women’s Interagency HIV Study [WIHS]), followed since 1984 and 1994, respectively.MethodsAdjusted odds or hazards ratios for incident respiratory infections or non-infectious respiratory diagnoses, respectively, in HIV-infected compared to HIV-uninfected individuals in both the pre-HAART (MACS only) and HAART eras; and adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratios for mortality in HIV-infected persons with lung disease during the HAART era.ResultsCompared to HIV-uninfected participants, HIV-infected individuals had more incident respiratory infections both pre-HAART (MACS, odds ratio [adjusted-OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2–2.7; p<0.001) and after HAART availability (MACS, adjusted-OR, 1.5; 95%CI 1.3–1.7; p<0.001; WIHS adjusted-OR, 2.2; 95%CI 1.8–2.7; p<0.001). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was more common in MACS HIV-infected vs. HIV-uninfected participants pre-HAART (hazard ratio [adjusted-HR] 2.9; 95%CI, 1.02–8.4; p = 0.046). After HAART availability, non-infectious lung diseases were not significantly more common in HIV-infected participants in either MACS or WIHS participants. HIV-infected participants in the HAART era with respiratory infections had an increased risk of death compared to those without infections (MACS adjusted-HR, 1.5; 95%CI, 1.3–1.7; p<0.001; WIHS adjusted-HR, 1.9; 95%CI, 1.5–2.4; p<0.001).ConclusionHIV infection remained a significant risk for infectious respiratory diseases after the introduction of HAART, and infectious respiratory diseases were associated with an increased risk of mortality.

Background Immune responses to Pneumocystis jirovecii are not well understood in HIV infection, but antibody responses to proteins may be useful as a marker of Pneumocystis risk or presence of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP). Design Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of antibodies to recombinant Pneumocystis proteins of major surface glycoprotein fragments (MsgC1, C3, C8, and C9) and of antibody titers to recombinant kexin protein (KEX1) were performed on three sequential serum samples up to 18 months prior to and three samples after first AIDS-defining illness from Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study participants and compared between those who had PcP or a non-PcP AIDS-defining illness. Results Fifty-four participants had PcP and 47 had a non-PcP AIDS-defining illness. IgG levels to MsgC fragments were similar between groups prior to first AIDS-defining illness, but the PcP group had higher levels of IgG to MsgC9 (median units/ml 50.2 vs. 22.2, p=0.047) post-illness. Participants with PcP were more likely to have an increase in MsgC3 (OR 3.9, p=0.02), MsgC8 (OR 5.5, p=0.001), and MsgC9 (OR 4.0, p=0.007). The PcP group was more likely to have low KEX1 IgG prior to development of PcP (OR 3.6, p=0.048) independent of CD4 cell count and to have an increase in high IgG titers to KEX1 after PcP. Conclusion HIV-infected individuals develop immune responses to both Msg and kexin proteins after PcP. Low KEX1 IgG titers may be a novel marker of future PcP risk before CD4 cell count has declined below 200 cells/μl.