That Gut Feeling: Fine-Tuning HIV treatment

 
You know the phrase, “I have a gut feeling” used to describe something you’re sure of but can’t explain? It characterizes the gut as the site of something significant. Interestingly, it is a significant site, certainly more than just where food is digested.  Up to 70% of the body’s immune cells reside there, and when it comes to HIV infection, it’s particularly important. Researchers now realize that HIV remains in the gut  even when viral load is under control in the blood.

 In the acute stage of infection, HIV attacks immune cells in the gut , wreaking havoc. Because of the many immune cells there (which makes sense when you think how many potential germs are introduced via food we take in), HIV can establish a strong hold. Many people have experienced obvious  stomach problems with HIV:  trouble digesting food, nausea, diarrhea. For those whose immune function is diminishing, certain opportunistic infections can also arise there. But it turns out there is more at work, and treatment is a challege.

Since the first monotherapies for HIV were introduced, there have been leaps and bounds in progress, with multiple drug options that attack different steps in the HIV replication process. Successful antiretroviral treatment (HAART) can reduce viral load and increase CD4 cell count, helping the immune system to stay strong. But research has found that HIV in the gut doesn’t respond to treatment the way it does elsewhere. Not only does HIV target the gut initially, it remains there, causing inflammation and compromising the natural balance of bacteria. This occurs even when someone is on treatment and their viral load may be undetectable in the blood.

Health can be optimized through HAART, but HIV can’t be cured just yet. However, researchers are trying to discover the best way to reduce inflammation in the gut so that we are one step closer to eradication.

- Janet 

This was posted on Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 11:15 am and is filed under Education & Resources, HIV Treatment . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.

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