Induction of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Expression by Anaerobes Associated with Bacterial Vaginosis

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common disorder characterized by increased levels of anaerobic bacteria in the genital tract. BV has been associated with an increased rate of sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The effects of BV-associated anaerobic bacteria on HIV expression in monocytoid cells and T cells were examined. Peptostreptococcus asaccharolyticus and Prevotella bivia stimulated HIV expression in monocytoid cells, whereas Bacteroides ureolyticus, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, and Lactobacillus acidophilus did not enhance HIV expression. P. asaccharolyticus also enhanced HIV expression in T cells and activated HIV long-terminal-repeat transcription in U38 cells. This report suggests a mechanism by which disturbances in vaginal flora could lead to a higher rate of sexual transmission of HIV. Furthermore, this study supports the idea that treatment of BV might serve as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

Influence of Common Mucosal Co‐Factors on HIV Infection in the Female Genital Tract

“…95,96 BV has been associated with a 60% increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition in women, 97 and, among women with HIV-1, with higher HIV-1 concentrations in cervicovaginal fluids. 98 Bacteria associated with BV can induce viral replication and shedding in the genital tract, 99 which may lead to increased HIV-1 infectiousness for women with BV.…”

HIV-2 Interaction with Target Cell Receptors, or Why HIV-2 is Less Pathogenic than HIV-1

“…The predominance of potential pathogenic bacteria instead of normal Lactobacillus species, observed during bacterial vaginosis, seems to be related not only with increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition by women (as referred above) but also with higher concentrations of HIV-1 in cervicovaginal secretions, due to a bacterial-driven augmentation of HIV-1 replication and shedding [48][49][50]. Thus, women with bacterial vaginosis are more infectious and the probability of female-to-male HIV-1 transmission during sexual intercourse is greater than in women with normal vaginal flora [51].…”

Bacterial Vaginosis

“…Long-term neurological consequences in neonates, such as hyperactivity [22] academic difficulties in school severe handicaps such as cerebral palsy [23] preventricular leukomalacia [24] damage in the dopaminenergic system in neonates brain injury to fetuses is caused due to ability of G. vaginalis and toxins produced by them to cross placenta [25] Pathology in men urethral discharge and inflammation of the glans penis [26] urethritis balanoposthitis [27] ascending urinary tract infection [28] …”