Gut microbiome in people living with HIV is associated with impaired thiamine and folate syntheses

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#folic-acid #gastrointestinal-microbiome #hiv-infections #humans #metagenome

Gut microbiome in people living with HIV is associated with impaired thiamine and folate syntheses

Park et al., 2021 | Microb Pathog | Meta Analysis

Citation

Park Sung Yong, Faraci Gina, ... Lee Ha Youn. Gut microbiome in people living with HIV is associated with impaired thiamine and folate syntheses. Microb Pathog. 2021-Nov;160:105209. doi:10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105209

Abstract

People living with HIV have a high incidence of cardiovascular and neurological diseases as comorbid disorders that are commonly linked to inflammation. While microbial translocation can augment inflammation during HIV infection, functional microbiome shifts that may increase pro-inflammatory responses have not been fully characterized. In addition, defining HIV-induced microbiome changes has been complicated by high variability among individuals. Here we conducted functional annotation of previously-published 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences of 305 HIV positive and 249 negative individuals, with adjustment for geographic region, sex, sexual behavior, and age. Metagenome profiles were inferred from these individuals' 16S data. HIV infection was associated with impaired microbial vitamin B synthesis; around half of the gene families in thiamine and folate biosynthesis pathways were significantly less abundant in the HIV positive group than the negative control. These results are consistent with the high prevalence of thiamine and folate deficiencies in HIV infections. These HIV-induced microbiota shifts have the potential to influence cardiovascular and neurocognitive diseases, given the documented associations between B-vitamin deficiencies, inflammation, and these diseases. We also observed that most essential amino acid biosynthesis pathways were downregulated in the microbiome of HIV-infected individuals. Microbial vitamin B and amino acid synthesis pathways were not significantly recovered by antiretroviral treatment when we compared 262 ART positive and 184 ART negative individuals. Our meta-analysis provides a new outlook for understanding vitamin B and amino acid deficiencies in HIV patients, suggesting that interventions for reversing HIV-induced microbiome shifts may aid in lessening the burdens of HIV comorbidities.

Key Findings

Our meta-analysis provides a new outlook for understanding vitamin B and amino acid deficiencies in HIV patients, suggesting that interventions for reversing HIV-induced microbiome shifts may aid in lessening the burdens of HIV comorbidities.

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition cognitive

MeSH Terms

  • Folic Acid
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • HIV Infections
  • Humans
  • Metagenome
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Thiamine

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: thiamine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09