Neonates exposed to HIV but uninfected exhibit an altered gut microbiota and inflammation associated with impaired breast milk antibody function.

Background: Infants exposed to HIV but uninfected have altered immune profiles which include heightened systemic inflammation. The mechanism(s) underlying this phenomenon is unknown. Here, we investigated differences in neonatal gut bacterial and viral microbiome and associations with inflammatory biomarkers in plasma.

associates with T cell immunity in human infants and is sufficient to enhance antigen-specific T cells in mice.

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine can elicit good T1 responses in neonates. We hypothesized that the pioneer gut microbiota affects vaccine T cell responses. Infants who are HIV exposed but uninfected (iHEU) display an altered immunity to vaccination.

Bacterial microbiome and host inflammatory gene expression in foreskin tissue.

The penile epithelial microbiome remains underexplored. We sequenced human RNA and a segment of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene from the foreskin tissue of 144 adolescents from South Africa and Uganda collected during penile circumcision after receipt of 1-2 doses of placebo, emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, or emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide to investigate the microbiome of foreskin tissue and its potential changes with antiretroviral use. We identified a large number of anaerobic species, including which was detected more frequently in participants from South Africa than Uganda.

Cervicovaginal Human Papillomavirus Genomes, Microbiota Composition and Cytokine Concentrations in South African Adolescents.

The interaction between cervicovaginal virome, bacteriome and genital inflammation has not been extensively investigated. We assessed the vaginal DNA virome from 33 South African adolescents (15-19 years old) using shotgun DNA sequencing of purified virions. We present analyses of eukaryote-infecting DNA viruses, with a focus on human papillomavirus (HPV) genomes and relate these to the vaginal bacterial microbiota (assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing) and cytokines (assessed by Luminex).

Copper intrauterine device increases vaginal concentrations of inflammatory anaerobes and depletes lactobacilli compared to hormonal options in a randomized trial.

Effective contraceptives are a global health imperative for reproductive-aged women. However, there remains a lack of rigorous data regarding the effects of contraceptive options on vaginal bacteria and inflammation. Among 218 women enrolled into a substudy of the ECHO Trial (NCT02550067), we evaluate the effect of injectable intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), levonorgestrel implant (LNG), and a copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) on the vaginal environment after one and six consecutive months of use, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multiplex cytokine assays.

Antibiotic Treatment during Gestation Enhances Susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Offspring.

Whether antibiotic treatment during gestation impacts T cell immunity to vaccination in offspring is unexplored. Dams treated with polymyxin B (PMB) during gestation (Mg) displayed altered microbial communities prior to delivery compared to control dams (Mc). Differences in microbiota were also evident in pups born to polymyxin B-treated dams (Pg) compared to control pups (Pc).

Genital microbiota of women using a 90 day tenofovir or tenofovir and levonorgestrel intravaginal ring in a placebo controlled randomized safety trial in Kenya.

In a phase-IIa trial, we investigated the influence of 90 days continuous-delivery tenofovir (TFV) intravaginal rings (IVRs) with/without levonorgestrel (LNG) on the genital microbiota of Kenyan women. Eligible women (n = 27; 18-34 years; negative for HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and Amsel-bacterial vaginosis) were randomized 2:2:1 to use of IVRs containing TFV, TFV/LNG, or placebo. Using vaginal wall and IVR swabs at IVR insertion and removal, the genital microbial composition was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.