Signature changes in gut microbiome are associated with increased susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in MSM

• Published in: Microbiome 2021-12, Vol.9 (1), p.237-237, Article 237
• Main Authors: Chen, Yue, Lin, Huang, Cole, Mariah, Morris, Alison, Martinson, Jeremy, Mckay, Heather, Mimiaga, Matthew, Margolick, Joseph, Fitch, Adam, Methe, Barbara, Srinivas, Vatsala Rangachar, Peddada, Shyamal, Rinaldo, Charles R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Alistipes; Antiretroviral therapy; Bacteroides; Bacteroides fragilis; Cohort Studies; Cytokines; Digestive system; Eubacterium; Fatty acids; Fecal microbiome; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - genetics; HIV; HIV Infections - microbiology; HIV seroconversion; HIV-1 - genetics; Homosexuality, Male; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Infections; Inflammation; Interleukin 6; Intestinal microflora; Laboratories; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Microbiomes; Microbiota; MSM (men who have sex with men); Pandemics; Plasma; Prevotella; Proteins; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Species; Women
• ISSN: 2049-2618; 2049-2618
• DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01168-w

Men who have sex with men (MSM) have been disproportionately affected by HIV-1 since the beginning of the AIDS pandemic, particularly in the USA and Europe. Compared to men who have sex with women (MSW), MSM have a distinct fecal microbiome regardless of HIV-1 infection. However, it is unclear whether the MSM-associated gut microbiome affects the susceptibility and progression of HIV-1 infection. We studied fecal microbiome profiles, short-chain fatty acids, and blood plasma inflammatory cytokines of 109 HIV-1 seroconverters (SC) from the early, 1984-1985 phase of the HIV-1 pandemic in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) before and after HIV-1 infection compared to 156 HIV-1-negative MACS MSM (negative controls [NC]). We found that family Succinivibrionaceae, S24-7, Mogibacteriaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae were significantly higher (p