title: Alterations in T cell subsets in human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults with co-infections in southern Mozambique.
abstract: T cell activation and depletion of naive T cells are hallmarks of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pathogenesis. This study explored the relationships between certain co-infections (including syphilis, hepatitis B and C, human T cell lymphotrophic viruses I and II [HTLV-I/II], Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus [KSHV], Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and tuberculosis), and levels of activated CD8 and CD4 T cell subsets as well as naive and memory CD4 T cells in HIV-infected adults in a rural area of southern Mozambique. We found that syphilis infection and to a lesser extent HTLV-I/II seropositivity were independently associated with higher CD8 T cell activation (CD8+ CD38+ HLA-DR+) whereas only syphilis was associated with higher CD4 T cell activation. Furthermore, KSHV and HTLV-I/II seropositivities were independently associated with a lower percentage of naive CD4 T cells (CD4+ CD45RA+ CD62L+). These results highlight the importance of screening and prompt treatment of syphilis, and raise questions as to whether HIV-positive persons with certain chronic viral co-infections should initiate combined antiretroviral therapy at higher CD4 cell counts.
authors: Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Mozambique. dsuzanne@clinic.ub.es
authors: Denise
authors: D
authors: Naniche
authors: Emilio
authors: E
authors: Letang
authors: Tacilta
authors: T
authors: Nhampossa
authors: Catarina
authors: C
authors: David
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Menendez
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Alonso
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009073:Mozambique; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets