Selective reduction of IFN-γ single positive mycobacteria-specific CD4+T cells in HIV-1 infected individuals with latent tuberculosis infection

HIV-1 is recognized to increase the risk for tuberculosis even before CD4+ T cell deficiency is profound. To better understand how HIV-1 alters immunity to latent tuberculosis, we compared the magnitude and functional profile of mycobacteria-specific CD4+ T cells between HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected individuals, using flow cytometry. In HIV-1 infection, IFN-gamma single positive mycobacteria-specific CD4+ T cells were decreased, while the frequency of polyfunctional cells (IFN-gamma+IL-2+TNF-alpha+) remained unchanged. Moreover, the proportion of IFN-gamma single positive cells correlated inversely with viral replication. Our results suggest that HIV-1 affects mycobacteria-specific cells differentially, depending on their functional capacity. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.