Gut Bacteria May Contribute To HIV Infection Susceptibility

Content Title

• What Is Gut Microbiome? 

• Role of Gut Microbiome In Health and Diseases

• What is HIV?

• HIV And AIDS 

• HIV Prevention

• How Gut Bacteria Is Related to HIV Infection 

• Take Home Points

• FAQs on Gut Bacteria

Introduction

Your body and internal organs, especially the digestive tract, have tons of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Among these, some are associated with your wellness while others could cause diseases. This collective set of microorganisms in your body is called the microbiome. 

But do you know that seemingly unrelated HIV and gut microbiomes (microorganisms in your digestive tract) are linked to each other? In this article, you would learn about the impact of HIV infections on the composition of gut bacteria. 

What Is Gut Microbiome?

Gut microorganisms are those microbes that mainly reside in your large intestine. Though there are different kinds of microbes present in your gut like bacteria viruses and yeast, bacteria are mostly studied because they are considered to be more beneficial and constitute the majority of the gut microbiome. 

Role of Gut Microbiome In Health and Diseases 

There are many beneficial microorganisms in your gut, namely Lactobacillus, Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacterium and so on. These beneficial microbes impact your health by,

• Preventing gut dysbiosis (imbalance in the gut microbiome) for maintaining proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.

• Promoting HDL (High-Density Lipids) and increasing your heart health 

• Controlling blood sugar and preventing diabetes 

• Affects brains by producing neural transmitters (chemicals that communicate with a brain)

But there are harmful microbes like Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus, and Escherichia coli that can cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, thyroid issues and rheumatoid arthritis.

What is HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is an immunodeficiency virus that damages your immune system and undermines your ability to fight potentially dangerous microorganisms. HIV is spread, mostly by bodily fluids, which include semen, vaginal fluids, anal fluids, blood and breast milk (though it can't be transmitted by sweat, urine or saliva). Most HIV patients have become HIV positive after having unprotected sex with HIV-affected individuals, sharing needles or after blood transfusions. There will be flu-like symptoms after the virus enters the body for 2 to 6 weeks. After these symptoms, most people show no symptoms for years, even though the virus would be reducing their immunocompetency. So, if you are suspicious about being infected with HIV, check it immediately with your healthcare provider. 

HIV And AIDS 

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a later stage of HIV infection where the immune system of the body is completely damaged. AIDS is diagnosed when the number of CD4 cells (an important blood cell that fights infections), is below 200 cells per millimetre of blood (the normal level being 500-1600 cells/cubic millimeter). Having AIDS always decreases your lifespan as it makes you susceptible to dangerous opportunistic infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, salmonella infection, candidiasis and toxoplasmosis. 

HIV Prevention 

Though there isn't a proper cure for HIV infection, there are many effective ways to protect you from potential infection like,

• Using condoms if you aren't planning for pregnancy 

• Get tested for HIV regularly if you have multiple sex partners 

• Do not inject drugs from shared needles 

• Take pre-exposure prophylaxis medicines that helps prevent infections (if you are at higher risk of getting HIV). 

How Gut Bacteria Is Related to HIV Infection

New research on gut bacteria by ULCA Health revealed that the gut microbiome in HIV-affected individuals differs from the composition of the gut microbiome of a healthy individual. From the samples, it was interpreted that the HIV-affected individuals had fewer Bacteroides species after the HIV infection, which indicates that HIV infection not only affects the blood cells like CD4 responsible for defending the body against infections but also negatively impacts the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. 

Take Home Points

• The gut microbiome has many beneficial bacteria that support your immune system, cardiovascular health, brain, and so on.

• HIV is an immunodeficiency virus that weakens your immune system and makes you susceptible to many deadly secondary infections. 

• HIV is mainly spread due to unprotected sex, sharing needles, and careless blood transfusions.