Unique Community of Gut Bacterial Microbiome as Indicator for HIV Infection and Progression
Simon Eyongabane Ako *
Faculty of Health Science, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Buea,P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon and School of Health Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Studies, Biaka University Institute of Buea, P.O. Box 77, Buea, Cameroon and Centre for Research on Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases (CREMER), Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Celine Nguefeu Nkenfou
Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CBIRC), Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Jules Ngudia Assob
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon.
Thumamo Benjamin Pokam
Faculty of Health Science, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Marcel Tongo
Centre for Research on Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases (CREMER), Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Enoh Jude Eteneneng
Centre for Research on Health and Priority Pathologies, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM) Yaoundé, Cameroon and Central Africa Network for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (CANTAM/EDCTP), the Republic of Congo.
Mbanya Gladice Mbanya
Centre for Research on Health and Priority Pathologies, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM) Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Eric Achidi Akum
Central Africa Network for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (CANTAM/EDCTP), the Republic of Congo and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The human digestive tract harbors complex microbial communities within its epithelial cell lining. Disruption in enteric immunity will promote gut dysbiosis, which can successively induce chronic inflammation within the mucous membrane and periphery. Interpretation of the specific gut microbiome changes observed during HIV infection is warranted in populations most affected.This was a case-control and comparative study design carried out between June 2018 to September 2019. A total of 40 volunteer adult participants were recruited (15 HIV-negative and 25 HIV-positive) at the Buea Regional Hospital. Blood analysis was done for CD4+ T cell count and HIV viral load. Fecal samples from all participants were analyzed using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing on the next-generation Illumina® MiSeq™ sequencer.
Biomarker Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) score from LEfSe analysis indicated that the specific gut microbiome, Lachnoclostridium sp32343-sp32393-sp32423 communities could serve as an indicator for HIV infection. Findings also showed that Bacteroides vulgatus (seq 11 & seq 42), Megamonas funiformis (seq 63), unclassified members of Prevotallaceae family sp14289 (seq 51), sp13942 (seq 4), and Prevotella copri-sp13942 (seq 5) could be used as gut microbiome biomarkers for increased HIV viral load and decreased CD4+ T cell count. Meanwhile gut microbiome biomarkers for decreased HIV viral load and increased CD4+ T cell count were identified as Succinivibrionaceae sp56244 (seq 47), Eubacterium rectale (seq 8), Megamonas funiformis (seq 1 and seq 14), Prevotella copri (seq 29, seq 34, and seq 12) and unclassified Prevotellaceae sp13927 (seq 17), sp13942 (seq 5). Specific gut microbiome communities of Lachnoclostridium sp32343-sp32393-sp32423 could be used as an indicator of HIV presence. Some gut bacteria microbiome can be utilized in the management of HIV disease progression.
Keywords: Gut, bacteria, microbiome, biomarkers, HIV, progression