Liver fibrosis is accelerated in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C viruses.We investigated the correlation between liver fibrosis, immune activation and microbial translocation.This cross-sectional study included patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mono-infections, HIV/HCV co-infection, and healthy controls (20 subjects/group). Peripheral blood was analysed to determine the levels of Forkhead box 3 (Foxp3) T cells, TGF-β1, CD14 (soluble and surface isoforms), IL-17 and bacterial translocation products. These measurements were correlated to the severity of liver fibrosis, measured with the FIB-4 score and transient elastography.Foxp3T cell levels were significantly elevated in HIV mono-infected and co-infected groups (p<0.0005). FIB-4 and liver stiffness values inversely correlated with TGF-β1 (p=0.0155 and p=0.0498). Bacterial DNA differed significantly in the HIV-positive compared to the other groups: HIV/HCV co-infected subjects had significantly higher serum levels of bacterial translocation products, CD14, and IL-17 levels (p<0.001).Fibrosis stage in HIV/HCV co-infection may be influenced by immune activation due either by viral infections or to bacterial translocation.
Liver fibrosis, microbial translocation and immune activation markers in HIV and HCV infections and in HIV/HCV co-infection.
BALDANTI, FAUSTO;PAGANI, LAURA;FILICE, GAETANO;BRUNO, RAFFAELE
2015-01-01
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is accelerated in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C viruses.We investigated the correlation between liver fibrosis, immune activation and microbial translocation.This cross-sectional study included patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mono-infections, HIV/HCV co-infection, and healthy controls (20 subjects/group). Peripheral blood was analysed to determine the levels of Forkhead box 3 (Foxp3) T cells, TGF-β1, CD14 (soluble and surface isoforms), IL-17 and bacterial translocation products. These measurements were correlated to the severity of liver fibrosis, measured with the FIB-4 score and transient elastography.Foxp3T cell levels were significantly elevated in HIV mono-infected and co-infected groups (p<0.0005). FIB-4 and liver stiffness values inversely correlated with TGF-β1 (p=0.0155 and p=0.0498). Bacterial DNA differed significantly in the HIV-positive compared to the other groups: HIV/HCV co-infected subjects had significantly higher serum levels of bacterial translocation products, CD14, and IL-17 levels (p<0.001).Fibrosis stage in HIV/HCV co-infection may be influenced by immune activation due either by viral infections or to bacterial translocation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.