HIV-Infected Pregnant Women: A Microbial Translocation and Inflammatory Status Discussion.

Background: HIV infection is characterized by impairment of various epithelial protective mechanisms, factors that contribute to intestinal barrier damages and result in microbial translocation, leading to increased immune activation and inflammation. However, microbial translocation and inflammatory status in HIV infection has been poorly investigated during pregnancy, period that the women are susceptible to bacterial infections. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate microbial translocation and the inflammatory status in HIV-infected pregnant women. Methods: We studied 30 volunteers, 12 HIV-infected pregnant women (G1), 10 HIV-uninfected pregnant women (G2) and 8 HIV-infected non-pregnant women (G3). Results: The results showed that plasmatic levels of cytokines did not differ among groups. High levels of sCD14 were observed in all groups, with statistical difference in the following comparisons: G1 vs G3 (6727±2030 pg/mL vs 11515±10746 pg/mL; p=0.02) and G2 vs G3 (5256±769 pg/mL vs 11515±10746 pg/mL; p<0.00...