Markers of Inflammation, Tissue Damage, and Fibrosis in Individuals Diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Pneumonia: A Cohort Study

Authors

  • Katherine Peña Valencia Grupo de Investigación en Salud Publica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Colombia). Grupo Bacterias & Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (Colombia
  • Will Riaño Grupo de Investigación en Salud Publica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Colombia). Grupo Bacterias & Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (Colombia).
  • Mariana Herrera Diaz Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba (Canada)
  • Lucelly López Grupo de Investigación en Salud Publica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Colombia).
  • Diana Marín Grupo de Investigación en Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Colombia).
  • Sandra González Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba (Canada).
  • Olga Agudelo García Grupo Bacterias & Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (Colombia).
  • Iván Arturo Rodríguez Sabogal Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación (Colombia). Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (Colombia)
  • Lázaro Vélez Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación (Colombia). Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (Colombia).
  • Zulma Vanessa Rueda Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Colombia).
  • Yoav Keynan Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba (Canada). Department of Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba (Canada). Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba (Canada)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.01.512.224

Keywords:

inflammation, cytokines, pulmonary dysfunction, HIV, pneumonia.

Abstract

Introduction: Previous studies have noted that persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience persistent lung dysfunction after an episode of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that inflammation during pneumonia triggers increased tissue damage and accelerated pulmonary fibrosis, resulting in a gradual loss of lung function.  

Methods: We carried out a prospective cohort study of people diagnosed with CAP and/or HIV between 2016 and 2018 in three clinical institutions in Medellín, Colombia. Clinical data, blood samples, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were collected at baseline.  

Results: Forty-one patients were included, divided into two groups: HIV and CAP (n = 17) and HIV alone (n = 24). We compared the concentrations of 17 molecules and PFT values between the groups. Notably, patients with HIV and pneumonia presented elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, IL-1RA, IL-10, IP-10, MCP-1, and MIP-1?) compared to those with only HIV. A marked pulmonary dysfunction was evidenced by significant reductions in FEF25, FEF25-75, and FEV1. Moreover, the correlation between these immune mediators and lung function parameters supports the connection between pneumonia associated inflammation and end-organ lung dysfunction. A low CD4 cell count (< 200 cells/µL) predicted inflammation and lung dysfunction.  

Conclusions: These results underscore the need for targeted clinical approaches to mitigate the adverse impacts of CAP on lung function in this population.

Published

2025-11-14

How to Cite

Peña Valencia, K., Riaño, W. ., Herrera Diaz, M. ., López, L. ., Marín, D. ., González, S. ., Agudelo García, O. ., Rodríguez Sabogal, I. A. ., Vélez, L., Rueda, Z. V. ., & Keynan, Y. . (2025). Markers of Inflammation, Tissue Damage, and Fibrosis in Individuals Diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Pneumonia: A Cohort Study . SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL SALUD UNINORTE, 1(01). https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.01.512.224

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