New hope for HIV-positive patients: therapy reverses intestinal microbiome imbalance
50% of HIV diagnoses are detected in advanced stages of infection when the immune system is compromised and the intestinal microbiome...
TL;DR
- Dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy can restore intestinal health in advanced HIV patients.
- The therapy rebalances the gut microbiome, reduces inflammation, and lowers immune system activation.
- Dolutegravir penetrates the intestine better than other drugs, minimizing collateral damage to the intestinal barrier.
- The study involved 88 participants diagnosed with advanced HIV, with two years of follow-up.
- While both therapies blocked the virus and restored CD4+ cells, dolutegravir increased gut microbiome diversity.
- Patients on dolutegravir showed better immune recovery, less immune overactivation, and reduced inflammation.
- Two years post-treatment, their intestinal barrier more closely resembled that of people without HIV.
- Advanced HIV is associated with gut microbiome imbalance, inflammation, and increased bacterial translocation, leading to long-term health problems.
- Dolutegravir offers potential for complete health recovery in seropositive individuals, especially those with late diagnoses.