BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been associated with increased HIV cervicovaginal shedding. We hypothesized that this might relate to BV-associated increases in mucosal activated CD4 T cells, which could enhance local HIV replication. METHODS: Vaginal flora, cytokine/chemokine levels, and mucosal immune cell populations collected by cervical cytobrush were analyzed in 15 HIV-infected Kenyan female sex workers, before and after BV therapy with oral metronidazole. RESULTS: Therapy reduced the Nugent score in all but 1 participant, and BV elimination was associated with reduced genital levels of interleukin 1beta(IL1beta), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and Regulated Upon Activation Normal T-cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES). In addition, BV elimination reduced the total number of cervical CD4 T cells, including those expressing the HIV coreceptor CCR5 and the activation marker CD69. CONCLUSIONS: BV induces significant and reversible alterations in cervical immune cell populations and local inflammatory cytokines that would be expected to enhance local HIV replication.
BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been associated with increased HIV cervicovaginal shedding. We hypothesized that this might relate to BV-associated increases in mucosal activated CD4 T cells, which could enhance local HIV replication. METHODS: Vaginal flora, cytokine/chemokine levels, and mucosal immune cell populations collected by cervical cytobrush were analyzed in 15 HIV-infected Kenyan female sex workers, before and after BV therapy with oral metronidazole. RESULTS: Therapy reduced the Nugent score in all but 1 participant, and BV elimination was associated with reduced genital levels of interleukin 1beta(IL1beta), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and Regulated Upon Activation Normal T-cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES). In addition, BV elimination reduced the total number of cervical CD4 T cells, including those expressing the HIV coreceptor CCR5 and the activation marker CD69. CONCLUSIONS: BV induces significant and reversible alterations in cervical immune cell populations and local inflammatory cytokines that would be expected to enhance local HIV replication.
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Authors: Caroline Mitchell; Jennifer E Balkus; Jennifer McKernan-Mullin; Susan E Cohn; Amneris E Luque; Christina Mwachari; Craig R Cohen; Robert Coombs; Lisa M Frenkel; Jane Hitti Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2013-02-01 Impact factor: 3.731
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Authors: Marta E Bull; Jillian Legard; Kenneth Tapia; Bess Sorensen; Susan E Cohn; Rochelle Garcia; Sarah E Holte; Robert W Coombs; Jane E Hitti Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2014-12-01 Impact factor: 3.731