New thesis provides insights into the gut microbiome and long-term health in people with HIV

What is the main focus of your thesis?

My thesis explores how the bacteria living in our gut, the gut microbiome are linked to different aspects of HIV infection and its treatment. I investigated the relationship between the gut microbiome and antiretroviral treatment, body weight, immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination, and the persistence of HIV in people receiving effective treatment.

Which are the most important results?

The most important findings were that different antiretroviral treatments were associated with distinct changes in the gut and oral microbiome, some of which were related to body weight. We also found associations between specific gut bacteria and their metabolic functions and both the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination as well as the size of the HIV reservoir.

How can this new knowledge contribute to the improvement of people’s health?

This research helps us better understand how the gut microbiome is linked to long-term health in people living with HIV. Although current HIV treatment effectively controls the virus, people living with HIV experience excessive inflammation and other health complications. Understanding the role of the gut microbiome in these processes may help identify unique bacterial markers associated with these conditions and help to develop new strategies to improve the health of people living with HIV.

What are your goals for the future?

My ambition is to continue developing as a researcher and contribute to a better understanding of how the microbiome influences human health. I would like to integrate metagenomics, metabolomics and immunological analyses to explore the complex interactions between the microbiome, metabolism and the immune system.

Thesis defence

Friday 23 October, 09:00, room B64, C1:87, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge

Thesis

Impact of gut microbiome and inflammation on clinical aspects of HIV infection