ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the intestinal flora and the impairment of liver and kidney in HIV-infected men who have heterosexual sex with healthy women. MethodsFecal samples from 41 HIV-infected heterosexual men who have sex with women (PMSW) and 43 age- and BMI-matched healthy heterosexual men who have sex with women (NMSW) were collected and subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing. The blood levels of AST, ALT, TBIL, UREA, Cr, UA, β2-MG and other liver and kidney function indicators were measured. Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the characteristics of the intestinal flora of the patients in these two groups, to compare the differential bacteria strains, and to analyze their correlation with liver and kidney function indicators. ResultsIn comparison with NMSW, the alpha diversity of intestinal flora was decreased in PMSW, and the beta diversity analysis showed significant differences in flora characteristics between the two groups (P<0.05). The abundance of Clostridium, Phylum thick-walled, Trichosporon, and Clostridium tumefaciens decreased but Fusobacteriota increased (LDA score >4). The comparison of liver and kidney function indexes revealed that AST, β2-MG levels were higher in PMSW than in NMSW, while TBIL was lower in PMSW than in NMSW. The number of patients with abnormal β2-MG was much higher in PMSW than in NMSW, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). It was also found that AST was negatively correlated with Clostridium (P<0.05); TBIL was negatively correlated with Clostridium and positively correlated with Phylum thick-walled and Trichosporon (P<0.05). β2-MG was negatively correlated with Phylum thick-walled, Clostridium, Trichosporon and Rumenococcus (P<0.05) and positively correlated with Clostridium (P<0.05). ConclusionIn PMSW group, the alpha diversity of the flora is decreased. AST and β2-MG levels are increased, and TBIL level is decreased. These changes were significantly correlated with different strains of bacteria in the intestinal flora.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors of anemia in HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the Pudong New Area. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among HIV-infected patients who started HAART from 2005 to 2020 in Pudong New Area. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the risk factors of anemia, moderate or severe anemia, and chronic anemia. The piecewise linear mixed-effect model was used to analyze the association between initial HAART classes and hemoglobin change in the follow-up. ResultsA total of 2 403 HIV-infected patients were included in the analysis. Among them, there were 357 cases of new onset anemia, 86 cases of chronic anemia and 102 cases of moderate or severe anemia, with the incidence density of 4.41/100 person years, 0.89/100 person years and 0.96/100 person years respectively. Multifactorial Cox regression analysis results showed that female, age >45 years, baseline CD4+ T lymphocyte count (CD4) <200 cells‧μL-1, opportunistic infections, glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL‧min-1‧(1.73 m2)-1, and zidovudine (AZT) or protease inhibitor (PIs) based regimens were associated factors for the development of anemia. Female, age >45 years, CD4 <200 cells‧μL-1, opportunistic infections, and AZT-based regimens were associated with the development of chronic anemia. Mild anemia at baseline and AZT-based regimens were associated with the development of moderate or severe anemia. Linear mixed-effects model showed that the use of AZT (-7.87 g‧L-1, 95%CI: -9.42 to -6.32) or PIs (-3.43 g‧L-1, 95%CI: -5.57 to -1.30) was associated with lower Hb at follow-up. ConclusionInitial use of AZT and PIs is associated with progression to anemia and a lower follow-up hemoglobin level. Increased hemoglobin monitoring in users of AZT and PIs may be beneficial, especially during the first 6 months after initiation of HAART.