Pathogen sensing and recognition through pattern recognition receptors, and subsequent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, is the cornerstone of the innate immune system. Despite the fact that HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants are prone to serious bacterial infections, no study has focused on the functionality of their bacteria recognition system. This is the first study to investigate baseline levels of three critically important immune response molecules in this population: complement component (C)-3, toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, and C-reactive protein (CRP). We enrolled 16 HEU and 6 HIV-unexposed (HU) infants. TLR4 function was investigated by stimulating whole blood with increasing concentrations of TLR4-agonist ultrapure lipopolysaccharides. TLR4/TLR4-agonist dose response were assessed by measuring IL-6 secretion. Complement C3 and CRP were measured by photo spectrometry. Data showed no significant differences in baseline concentration of CRP between HEU and HU infants. Complement C3 was significantly higher in HEU infants than HU infants. TLR4 anergy was observed in 7 of 12 HEU infants, whereas the rest of HEU infants ( = 4) and the control HU infants tested ( = 3) showed responsive TLR4. None of the HEU infants investigated in this study had severe infections in the year after their birth. In conclusion, TLR4 anergy can occur in HEU infants without necessarily translating to increased vulnerability to infectious diseases.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5817973 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.00222 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Phenotypic characterization of NK cells in 5-year-old children exposed to maternal HIV and antiretroviral therapy in early-life.
BMC Immunol
December 2024
Immunology Unit, Department of Laboratory Diagnostic and Investigative Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, UZ-FMHS), Harare, Zimbabwe.
Background: HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children are at increased risk of morbidity during the first years of life. Although the immune responses of HEU infants in early-life are relatively well described, studies of natural killer (NK) cells in older HEU children are lacking. NK cell subsets were analysed in HEU children and compared to those in HIV unexposed uninfected (HUU) children aged ~ five years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCaring for a young child who is HIV exposed and whose HIV status is not yet known: a scoping review of mothers' experiences.
AIDS Care
December 2024
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa.
Living with HIV can affect mothers' wellbeing, functioning, and experiences of caregiving. Most research about caregiving in the context of HIV comes from studies of dyads where both mother and child are living with HIV. Less is known about how mothers experience caregiving when their children are HIV exposed, but their HIV-status is not yet known.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImpact of HIV exposure without infection on hospital course and mortality among young children in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-site cohort study.
BMC Med
December 2024
The Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network, Nairobi, Kenya.
Article Synopsis
- HEU (HIV-exposed uninfected) children face a higher risk of hospitalization and mortality compared to HUU (HIV-unexposed uninfected) children, prompting a closer look at their health outcomes.
- A study of 1486 children revealed that HEU children had significantly higher rates of hospitalization mortality and were more prone to wasting and stunting.
- Despite similar illness severity and resource use in hospitals, HEU children had longer stays and a two-fold increased risk of dying within 30 days of hospitalization compared to HUU peers.
Hepatitis A Seroprevalence Among HIV-Exposed and Unexposed Pediatric Populations in South Africa.
Vaccines (Basel)
November 2024
Vaccines for Africa Initiative, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
There is limited evidence comparing hepatitis A seroprevalence among HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU), HIV-infected (HIV), and unexposed uninfected (HUU) children. This compromises rational vaccine decision-making. This study comprised a retrospective health facility-based population of children aged 1 month-12 years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDietary intake and growth of HIV exposed and unexposed 6-12 months old infants in South Africa.
Matern Child Nutr
January 2025
Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn and Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Factors affecting the growth of HIV-exposed-uninfected (HEU) children are multi-factorial, with limited information available on the dietary intake from 6 months. This study compared the dietary intake, micronutrient composition of breastmilk, and growth of HEU and HIV-unexposed-uninfected (HUU) infants aged 6 and 12 months in an urban setting. A repeated cross-sectional study used structured questionnaires to collect socio-demographic, dietary intake, food group data, and anthropometric measurements in the Siyakhula study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!