LAUSR

Microbial translocation has been suggested as a major driver of chronic immune activation HIV infection. Thus, we compared the extent of microbial translocation in patients with acute HIV infection and patients followed after CD4-guided structured treatment interruption (STI) by measuring different direct and indirect markers in circulation: 1) LPS-binding protein (LBP); 2) bacterial DNA; 3) soluble CD14 (sCD14) and 3) mitochondrial (mt)DNA. Bacterial DNA and sCD14 levels were similar in all groups. Patients in acute phase showed higher levels of LBP and mtDNA. In STI, we found a positive correlation between the percentage of CD8+ T cells and bacterial DNA levels. Considering all patients, LBP was positively correlated with the percentage and the absolute count of CD8+ T cells, and with mtDNA, stressing the importance of mitochondrial products in sustaining chronic immune activation.