T cell susceptibility to HIV influences outcome of opportunistic infections.
During HIV infection, the timing of opportunistic infections is not always associated with severity of CD4 T cell depletion, and different opportunistic pathogens reactivate at different CD4 T cell thresholds. Here, we examine how differences in the phenotype and function of pathogen-specific CD4 T cells influence susceptibility to HIV infection. By focusing on three common opportunistic infections (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, human papillomavirus, and cytomegalovirus), we investigate how differential depletion of pathogen-specific CD4 T cells impacts the natural history of these pathogens in HIV infection. A broader understanding of this relationship can better inform treatment strategies against copathogens.
Institute of Human Virology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Kapil K
KK
Saharia
Richard A
RA
Koup
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology