Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection has threatened the survival of HIV-infected people. To explore the correlations of intestinal microorganisms with liver and immune functions of patients with HIV/HBV coinfection. METHODS: Eighty-six patients positive for HIV antibody and HBV surface antigen diagnosed from January 2018 to June 2020 were selected as HIV/HBV coinfection group. Another 86 patients positive for HBV surface antigen and 86 healthy people were selected as HBV infection and control groups, respectively. The correlations of intestinal flora with liver function, inflammatory indices and immune cells were explored through Pearson's analysis. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the proportions and numbers of T lymphocytes (CD3(+)), helper T lymphocytes (CD4(+)), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8(+)), CD4(+)/CD8(+) and natural killer (NK) cells decreased in HIV/HBV coinfection group (P<0.05). IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, ALT, AST, GGT, DBiL and TDBi levels were correlated negatively with Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides numbers, but positively with Enterobacter and Enterococcus numbers (P<0.05). IL-10 level and proportions of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+) and NK cells were correlated positively with Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides numbers, but negatively with Enterobacter and Enterococcus numbers (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: HIV aggravates the liver damage and immuno-inflammatory response in HBV patients.