Social and immunological differences among uninfected Brazilians exposed or unexposed to human immunodeficiency virus-infected partners

Abstract

Understanding the social conditions and immunological characteristics that allow some human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-exposed patients to remain uninfected represents an on-going challenge. In this study, the socio-demographic and sexual behaviour characteristics and immune activation profiles of uninfected individuals exposed to HIV-infected partners were investigated. A confidential and detailed questionnaire was administered and venous blood was tested using HIV-1/enzyme immunoassays, plasma HIV-1 RNA levels/bDNA and immunophenotyping/flow cytometry to determine the frequencies of CD4 and CD8 T cells expressing activation markers. The data analysis showed significant differences (p < 0.05) for immune parameters in individuals who were uninfected, albeit exposed to HIV-infected partners, compared with unexposed individuals. In particular, the exposed, uninfected individuals had a higher frequency (median, minimum-maximum) of CD4+HLA-DR+ (4.2, 1.8-6.1), CD8+HLA-DR+ (4.6, 0.9-13.7), CD4+CD45RO+ (27.5, 14.2-46.6), CD4+CD45RO+CD62L+ (46.7, 33.9-67.1), CD8+CD45RA+HLA-DR+ (12.1, 3.4-35.8) and CD8+CD45RO+HLA-DR+ (9.0, 3.2-14.8) cells, a decreased percentage of CD8+CD28+ cells (11.7, 4.5-24.0) and a lower cell-surface expression of Fcγ-R/CD16 on monocytes (56.5, 22.0-130.0). The plasma HIV-1 RNA levels demonstrated detectable RNA virus loads in 57% of the HIV-1+ female partners. These findings demonstrate an activation profile in both CD4 and CD8 peripheral T cells from HIV-1 exposed seronegative individuals of serodiscordant couples from a referral centre in Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais.

Analysis of Immunological, Viral, Genetic, and Environmental Factors That Might Be Associated with Decreased Susceptibility to HIV Infection in Serodiscordant Couples in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil

“…These characteristics are consistent with those reported in similar studies performed in Brazil, Africa, and China. 9,25,26 HESN showed a trend toward increased consumption of red meat and fried foods and lower consumption of fruit, vegetables, and cereals. Although most people were not overweight, this condition was less frequent in the HIV-ART group compared with the other two groups.…”

“…4 Although Brazil has the largest number of HIV-infected people among the countries in Central and South America, 5 and an ethnically very diverse population, 6 there is a paucity of information regarding cohorts of serodiscordant couples. The few reports on this subject in Brazil have addressed genetic polymorphisms in CXCL12 7 and CCR5, 2 the presence of specific HLA alleles, 8 patterns of activation in CD4 + T and CD8 + T lymphocytes, 9 sexual transmission profiles, 10 or sociodemographic characteristics associated with HIV infection. 9 Reports evaluating cellular host proteins that interact with HIV during its replication cycle have not yet been published.…”

“…The few reports on this subject in Brazil have addressed genetic polymorphisms in CXCL12 7 and CCR5, 2 the presence of specific HLA alleles, 8 patterns of activation in CD4 + T and CD8 + T lymphocytes, 9 sexual transmission profiles, 10 or sociodemographic characteristics associated with HIV infection. 9 Reports evaluating cellular host proteins that interact with HIV during its replication cycle have not yet been published.…”

Early initiation of antiretroviral treatment: Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa

“…The reason why IRIS affects certain patients is not thoroughly understood, but may be linked to monocytederived responses [44] . Our expanding knowledge about human leukocyte antigens associations observed among non-seroconverting partners of HIV patients should uncover a role for genetic factors in the future [45] . Context-specific decisions on the timing for initiation of ART among TB-infected patients are highly dependent on future findings of large cohorts among different high-risk groups from various ethnic backgrounds.…”