Probiotic yogurt consumption is associated with an increase of CD4 count among people living with HIV/AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long term effect of yogurt supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus Fiti on the immune function (CD4 count) of people living with HIV/AIDS.


BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal infections and the leakage of microbial products from the gut have a profound impact on the deterioration of the immune system among people living with HIV/AIDS. Among persons not infected with the virus, probiotics can prevent gastrointestinal infections and restore an effective gut barrier, suggesting they might have a beneficial effect on the immune function of people living with HIV/AIDS.


METHODS
We carried out an observational retrospective study over a period of 3 years, with longitudinal comparison of the CD4 count within participants (n=68) before and during probiotic yogurt consumption, and compared with a control group of participants not consuming the yogurt (n=82).


RESULTS
Among the yogurt consumers before use and the nonconsumers, an average increase in CD4 count was seen of 0.13 cells/μL/day (95% CI; 0.07-0.20, P=<0.001). After commencing consumption, yogurt consumers experienced an additional increase of 0.28 cells/μL/day (95% CI; 0.10-0.46, P=0.003). When adjusting for length of time using antiretroviral medication, the additional increase explained by yogurt consumption remained 0.17 cells/μL/day (95% CI; 0.01-0.34, P=0.04). Treatment with antiretroviral medication was associated with an increase of 0.27 cells/μL/day (95% CI; 0.17-0.38, P=<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The introduction of probiotic yogurt, made by local women in a low-income community in Tanzania, was significantly associated with an increase in CD4 count among consumers living with HIV.
Irvine
Stephanie L
SL
Brescia University College, London, Canada.
Hummelen
Ruben
R
Hekmat
Sharareh
S
Looman
Caspar W N
CW
Habbema
J Dik F
JD
Reid
Gregor
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / Q000276:immunology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013636:Tanzania; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015014:Yogurt / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents