Altered HIV-1 Viral Copy Number and Gene Expression Profiles of Peripheral (CEM CCR5+) and Mucosal (A3R5.7) T Cell Lines Co-Infected with HSV-2 In Vitro.

Co-infecting pathogens have been speculated to influence Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disease progression. Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 (HSV-2), another sexually transmitted pathogen, is commonly observed in individuals with HIV-1. Some clinical studies have observed an increase in HIV-1 viral copy number in HSV-2 co-infected individuals. In vitro studies have also demonstrated an increase in the expression of HIV-1 co-receptors on immune cells infected with HSV-2. Although both the viruses show distinctive persistent infection, the influence of HSV-2 on HIV-1 is poorly understood. Here we present a comparative analysis of primary CD4+ T-cells and four different T-cell lines (PM-1, CEM CCR5+, MOLT4 CCR5+, and A3R5.7) to assess the influence of HSV-2 co-infection on HIV-1 replication in vitro. Cell lines indicating significant changes in HIV-1 viral copy number [CEM CCR5+ (0.61 Log10), A3R5.7 (0.78 Log10)] were further evaluated for the infectivity of HIV-1 virions and the changes in gene expression profiles of HSV-2/HIV-1 co-infected and mono-infected cells, which were further confirmed by qPCR. Significant changes in NUP, MED, and VPS mRNA expression were observed in the gene expression profiles in co-infected CEM CCR5+ and A3R5.7 cells. In both cell lines, it was observed that the WNT signaling, PI3 kinase, apoptosis, and T-cell activation pathways were negatively affected in co-infected cells. The data suggest that HSV-2 infection of T-cells may influence the expression of genes that have been previously shown to affect HIV-1 replication in vitro. This idea needs to be explored further to identify anti-viral targets for HSV-2 and HIV-1.

Enteric pathogens in HIV infected and HIV uninfected individuals with diarrhea in Pune.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea in HIV infected individuals is a common complication seen in about 90% of patients in developing countries. The objective of this study was to identify enteric pathogens in HIV infected and HIV uninfected individuals in Pune. METHOD: This study was conducted from January 2009 to May 2010 on 331 consecutive patients presenting with diarrhea admitted at Naidu Municipal Corporation Hospital, Pune and processed using conventional methods. RESULTS: Intestinal parasitic pathogens were detected in 60% (39/65) of HIV infected and 14.3 (38/266) of HIV uninfected individuals. Bacterial pathogens were detected in 34% (22/65) of HIV infected individuals and 28.2% (75/266) of the HIV uninfected individuals. The common enteric pathogens detected in HIV infected individuals were Cystoisospora belli (28%, 18/65) followed by Cryprotosporidium parvum (12%, 8/65). In HIV uninfected individuals Entamoeba histolytica (7.1%, 19/266) followed by Shigella flexnari (4.9%, 13/266) were the most common pathogens. The difference in detection of enteric parasites in HIV infected individuals and HIV uninfected individuals was found to be significant (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal parasitic pathogens are more common in HIV infected antiretroviral therapy naïve patients. Early detection of enteric pathogens by routine examination of stool samples will help in the management and to improve the quality of life for HIV infected individuals.