Acute sexually transmitted infections increase human immunodeficiency virus type 1 plasma viremia, increase plasma type 2 cytokines, and decrease CD4 cell counts

A. O. Anzala, J. N. Simonsen, J. Kimani, T. B. Ball, N. J.D. Nagelkerke, J. Rutherford, E. N. Ngugi, J. J. Bwayo, F. A. Plummer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In Kenya, the median incubation time to AIDS in seroconverting sex workers is 4 years; this incubation time is specific to female sex workers. We studied the influence of acute sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on several immunologic parameters in 32 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-positive and 10 HIV-1-negative women sex workers who were followed for 1-5 months. Plasma cytokines, soluble cytokine receptors, CD4 and CD8 T cell counts, and HIV-1 plasma viremia were quantitated before, during, and after episodes of STI. Increases in interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and viremia and a decline in CD4+ T cell counts occurred during gonococcal cervicitis and returned to baseline after treatment. Increases in viremia correlated with increased IL-4 and decreased IL-6 concentrations. Similar changes were seen among women with acute pelvic inflammatory disease. Acute bacterial STI resulted in increased HIV-1 viremia. This may be mediated through increased inflammatory cytokines or through modulation of immune responses that control HIV-1 viremia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)459-466
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume182
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Infectious Diseases

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