How sexually transmitted diseases up HIV infection risk
Washington, September 6 : The Netherlands-based scientists have for the first time
described a way whereby sexually transmitted diseases - such as genital herpes, gonorrhea,
syphilis, and chlamydia - increases an individual's risk of becoming infected with HIV
through sexual contact.
Teunis B.H. Geijtenbeek and colleagues at VU University Medical Center showed the way
in which STDs can increase acquisition of HIV-1 infection in an ex vivo human skin explant
model.
The researchers say that though immature immune cells known as Langerhans cells (LCs)
captured HIV in the ex vivo human skin explant model, they did not efficiently transmit
the virus to T cells, something that is essential for the initiation of full disease.
However, when the cells were activated by inflammatory stimuli, efficient virus
transmission was observed.
Based on this observation, the researchers came to the conclusion that the triggering
of the same inflammatory stimuli in vaginal and skin explants by agents that cause the
STDs may activate LCs, and thereby increase an individual's risk of becoming infected with
HIV.
The researchers say that their study also suggests that anti-inflammatory therapies may
provide a way to prevent HIV transmission.
--ANI
