Liver fibrosis, microbial translocation and immune activation markers in HIV and HCV infections and in HIV/HCV co-infection. Issue 3 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sacchi, Paolo; Cima, Serena; Corbella, Marta; Comolli, Giuditta; Chiesa, Antonella; Baldanti, Fausto; Klersy, Catherine; Novati, Stefano; Mulatto, Patrizia; Mariconti, Mara; Bazzocchi, Chiara; Puoti, Massimo; Pagani, Laura; Filice, Gaetano; Bruno, Raffaele
• Is Part Of: Digestive and liver disease. Volume 47:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 218
• Page End: 225
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2014.11.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1590-8658

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title id="sect0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sect0010">Background</title> <p id="spar0005">Liver fibrosis is accelerated in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C viruses.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0015">Aims</title> <p id="spar0010">We investigated the correlation between liver fibrosis, immune activation and microbial translocation.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0020">Methods</title> <p id="spar0015">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.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0025">Results</title> <p id="spar0020">Foxp3T cell levels were significantly elevated in HIV mono-infected and co-infected groups (<italic>p</italic> < 0.0005). FIB-4 and liver stiffness values inversely correlated with TGF-β1 (<italic>p</italic> = 0.0155 and <italic>p</italic> = 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 (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0030">Conclusions</title> <p id="spar0025">Fibrosis stage in HIV/HCV co-infection may be influenced by immune activation due either by viral infections or to bacterial translocation.</p> </sec> </abstract>