High Abundance of genus Prevotella in the gut of perinatally HIV-infected children is associated with IP-10 levels despite therapyOriginal paper
Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease, four years before the first published case study.
Read MoreWhat was studied?
Researchers examined the gut microbiome and its link to inflammation in children perinatally infected with HIV, comparing treated and untreated groups.
How was it studied?
Fecal microbiota were profiled in perinatally HIV-infected children and compared for taxonomic composition alongside inflammatory and microbial translocation markers, including IP-10, soluble CD14 (sCD14), and CD4 count.
What did they find?
Genus Prevotella was significantly elevated in HIV-infected children and remained high despite antiretroviral therapy. Prevotella abundance correlated positively with IP-10 in both treated and untreated children, while genus Prevotella and species Prevotella copri were inversely associated with CD4 count. In ART-suppressed children, Prevotella and P. copri also correlated positively with sCD14.
Why it matters
The findings suggest gut microbiota alterations may help drive persistent inflammation in HIV-infected children despite effective ART. The authors propose probiotic-based microbiota reshaping as a possible adjunctive therapy alongside ART.