Gut bacteria may contribute to HIV infection susceptibility

Table of Content

• Healthy Gut microbiome and its roles

• Dysbiosis and Increased HIV Risk

• Research highlights the link

• Can we manipulate the Gut Microbiome to reduce HIV risk?

• Important Consideration and Road Ahead

• FAQs on Gut Health

Healthy Gut microbiome and its roles

Gut microbiome consists of a composition of bacterial species that have certain roles in the well-being of the individual. They are basically a balanced mixture of beneficial bacteria outnumbering the harmful bacterial species. They together perform the following functions:

• Digestion of complex carbohydrates cannot be solely done by the digestive system. 

• Synthesis of Vitamins such as Vitamin A and Vitamin K.

• Regulating the immune system and reducing inflammation.

• Killing harmful pathogens and certain bacterial species. 

Dysbiosis and Increased HIV Risk

Therefore, a balanced mixture of gut microbiomes is important for the healthy functioning of the body. If this balance is disturbed, then it is known as dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can lead to an increased susceptibility of the body to certain issues. One of these is HIV infection.

Let's discuss how can it be possible:

• Compromised Gut Barrier:

When it comes to protecting the intestines, the gut barrier is a crucial tool. However, during dysbiosis, the gut barrier weakens due to which there is harm at the physical as well as immunological level. This is because, due to a lack of healthy gut microbiomes, the gut barrier is unable to prevent the translocation of harmful pathogens and their materials from the intestines into the bloodstream. This causes inflammation and activates the immune system, thus making the person more susceptible to the infection by creating an atmosphere that supports the virus.

• Altered immune response:

As we already read, the gut microbiome mixture certainly plays a great role in regulating and maintaining the immune system and its responses. This mechanism is disturbed when it comes down to dysbiosis, as the body is unable to regulate the immune responses in the absence of a correct balance of healthy gut microbes. This causes an improper immune response and an altered immune response causes the body to become more susceptible to the risk of HIV infection.

• Effects of certain bacterial species:

There is no doubt now that the absence of a correct balance of gut microbes and correct species can weaken our body against serious infections. However, it is seen that people who lack certain microbial species in the gut and have the presence of bacteria, Megasphaera elsdenii, are actually more susceptible to such issues. Studies on how a certain bacterial species can influence the body's susceptibility to such infections is currently ongoing. 

Research highlights the link

A UCLA-led study that was carried out in 2022, indicated that the presence of healthy gut microbiomes were an important factor for proper maintenance of the immune system. In this study, a group of people with high susceptibility to this serious illness were followed. Then, the men who were infected were checked upon. There was a certain difference between the gut microbe composition of the healthy population and that of the infected. It was discovered that there were lesser no. of Bacteroides in the infected people in comparison to the healthy population.

Therefore, this study forms a link between the composition of gut microbes and susceptibility of HIV infection. However, there is an ongoing study to find out the mechanism by which composition affects individuals.

Can we manipulate the Gut Microbiome to reduce HIV risk?

If a link between the composition of Gut bacteria and HIV risk is established , then there may be many possibilities that we can use to manipulate the composition of Gut bacteria to reduce the risk of this deadly infection. Here are some ways that we can try :

• Pre- & Probiotics-

Prebiotics are dietary fibers that serve as food for the gut microbiomes. Probiotics, however, are live bacteria that are used to directly supplement the gut bacteria. Studies are currently being carried out to understand the role that Pre- & Probiotics can play in order to prevent the person from being susceptible to this virus.

• Faecal-Matter Transplant -

Also known as FmT, this technique involves the introduction of healthy gut bacteria to the infected body from the healthy, that implies, to the recipient from the donor. Even though this technique is still under study, it promises to bring relief to many gut issues including the problem in question.

• Introduction of Healthy Gut Bacteria -

Another technique that is currently under study is the introduction of healthy gut bacteria in the body of an infected individual that might foster the growth of healthy bacteria which in turn might improve the gut health of those infected.

Important Consideration and Road Ahead

So, as we come to the conclusion, we've learned that there are still studies under progress on this topic, however, scientists also wonder whether dietary, lifestyle, and other changes can be brought about to trigger these topics. This is due to the reason that the composition of the gut microbiome might be influenced by genetics, diet, and lifestyle. 

Even though prebiotics and probiotics affect the bacterial species in the gut, nothing can be said clearly about this matter, especially, since the studies on this topic are currently in their initial stages. However, if a link between the composition of gut microbes and susceptibility to HIV infection is established at any time, there will be more perspectives on this matter and scientists may even find methods to prevent the problems in question.