Pathogens
Pro-Inflammatory Markers in Persons Living with HIV and HCV: The Role of Opioid Use
By Wei‐Wen Hsu, Heidi L. Meeds, Janani Madhuravasal Krishnan and 10 others.
Abstract
Background
The United States continues to experience a major drug epidemic driven by synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl. Emerging evidence suggests that opioids alter immune responses and viral pathogenesis. This study evaluated inflammatory and apoptotic markers among individuals living with HIV and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the context of opioid/fentanyl exposure.
Methods
Whole blood was collected from adults with HIV, HCV, and/or opioid use disorder (OUD), along with healthy controls. Plasma toxicology screening for illicit substances was performed using LC-MS/MS. Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IL-6, IL-8, SDF-1α, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, RANTES, and TNF-α) were measured by Luminex, and M30 was measured by ELISA. Biomarkers were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test, with multivariable regression used to identify independent associations.
