title: Gut Lactobacillales are associated with higher CD4 and less microbial translocation during HIV infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Early HIV infection is characterized by a dramatic depletion of CD4 T cells in the gastrointestinal tract and translocation of bacterial products from the gut into the blood. In this study, we evaluated if gut bacterial profiles were associated with immune status before and after starting antiretroviral therapy (ART).
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the gut microbiota of men recently infected with HIV (n = 13) who were participating in a randomized, double-blind controlled trial of combination ART and maraviroc versus placebo and who were followed for 48 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  To evaluate the gut microbiota of participants, we pyrosequenced the bacterial populations from anal swabs collected before and longitudinally after the initiation of ART. Associations of the gut flora with clinical variables (lymphocyte profiles and viral loads), activation and proliferation markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and gut biopsies (measured by flow cytometry) and markers of microbial translocation (lipopolysaccharide and soluble CD14) were performed by regression analyses using R statistical software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using pyrosequencing, we identified that higher proportions of Lactobacillales in the distal gut of recently HIV-infected individuals were associated with lower markers of microbial translocation, higher CD4% and lower viral loads before ART was started. Similarly, during ART, higher proportions of gut Lactobacillales were associated with higher CD4%, less microbial translocation, less systemic immune activation, less gut T lymphocyte proliferation, and higher CD4% in the gut.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Shaping the gut microbiome, especially proportions of Lactobacillales, could help to preserve immune function during HIV infection.
authors.forename: Josué
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez-Santiago
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gianella
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massanella
authors.forename: Celsa A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Spina
authors.forename: Maile Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Karris
authors.forename: Susanna R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Var
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Parris S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Douglas D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Richman
authors.forename: Davey M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D018988:Bacterial Translocation / Q000276:immunology*; D058448:Biota; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003510:Cyclohexanes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D056546:Lactobacillales / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D000077592:Maraviroc; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D010919:Placebos; D014230:Triazoles; D000077592:Maraviroc