Abstract
IntroductionHIV infection is characterized by changes in the composition and functions of gut microbiota. We carried out a study aiming at comparing the compositional changes of the digestive flora of HIV infected infants versus that of non infected infants in Cameroon.MethodsA case-control study was carried out during which stool sample was collected from each participant after obtaining the proxy consent. Stools were cultured using aerobic, strict anaerobic, 10% CO2 and micro-aerophilic conditions and specific culture media and bacteria were identified biochemically. Fisher's exact test was used for data analyses.ResultsFrom the 80 infants enrolled for the study, 33 (41.3%) were HIV positive. A statistically significant difference was observed between the number of infected versus non infected infants harboring the following bacteria: Clostridium spp. (P=0.009); Enterococcus spp. (p<0.001); Klebsiella (p<0.001); Shigella (<0.001); Staphylococcus aureus (p=0.006) and Streptococcus spp. (P=0.015). Among infected infants, WHO-stage 3 and 4 infants harbored more opportunistic bacteria than stage 1 and stage 2 and Bacteriodes spp. population was depleted as the disease progresses, although not significantly. There was an imbalance in bacteria flora in HIV infected infants harboring qualitatively more bacteria including more opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria than in HIV non-infected infants.ConclusionHIV infected infants presented a qualitatively different flora from HIV non infected infants. They habored more pathogenic bacteria Than non infected infants. Systematic stool culture could benefit for follow-up of HIV infected infants to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disorders and thus the risk of high morbidity or high mortability.
Highlights
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is characterized by changes in the composition and functions of gut microbiota
This was a casecontrol study where 33 (41.25%) HIV positive infants and 47 (58.75%) HIV negative infants were enrolled. 32 of the HIV infected infants were on ARV treatment while only one was still waiting initiation which should tally with the WHO 2010 recommendations: "Start ART immediately upon diagnosis." most of the HIV positive infants (78.78%) were already at Stage 3-4 based on the WHO classification
We aimed at looking at the effect of HIV infection on the digestive flora of HIV infected infants
Summary
HIV infection is characterized by changes in the composition and functions of gut microbiota. We carried out a study aiming a t comparing the compositional changes of the digestive flora of HIV infected infants versus that of non infected infa nts in Cameroon. There was an imbalance in bacteria flora in HIV infected infants harboring qualitatively more bacteria including more opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria than in HIV non-infected infants. Changes in gut microbial composition and function in HIV-positive individuals, aside from being secondary to HIV infection, may play direct roles in mediating some disease manifestations (recurrent bacterial infections) [11]. The intestinal flora, if well characterized could be balanced before the onset of infection using probiotics It is for this reason that this research project was initiated with the aim to examine the digestive flora of HIV infected infants born to HIV sero-positive mothers in comparison to that of HIV non-infected infants
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