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Canipe A, Chidumayo T, Blevins M, Bestawros M, Bala J, Kelly P, Filteau S, Shepherd BE, Heimburger DC, Koethe JR. A 12 week longitudinal study of microbial translocation and systemic inflammation in undernourished HIV-infected Zambians initiating antiretroviral therapy. BMC infectious diseases. 2014 Sep 29;14(14). 521 p.
Abstract
Undernourished, HIV-infected adults in sub-Saharan Africa have high levels of systemic inflammation, which is a risk factor for mortality and other adverse health outcomes. We hypothesized that microbial translocation, due to the deleterious effects of HIV and poor nutrition on intestinal defenses and mucosal integrity, contributes to heightened systemic inflammation in this population, and reductions in inflammation on antiretroviral therapy (ART) accompany reductions in translocation.