Antibody and B-cell responses may control circulating lipopolysaccharide in patients with HIV infection.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between plasma markers of microbial translocation and antibodies to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and circulating memory B cells in patients with HIV infection.

Design: Cross-sectional study in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive (n = 23) and ART-treated (n = 27) HIV patients.

Methods: Antibodies to LPS and immunoglobulins, assayed in stored serum, and matched memory B-cell counts were correlated with levels of LPS and bacterial 16S ribosome DNA (16S rDNA), assayed in stored plasma.