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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
11:14
Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture
Published on: October 12, 2018
HIV-1 suppression during acute scrub-typhus infection
G Watt1, P Kantipong, M de Souza
1Retrovirology Department, USAMC, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand.
Lancet (London, England)
|September 12, 2000
Summary
Acute scrub typhus infection unexpectedly lowered HIV-1 viral load in patients. This suggests scrub typhus may produce factors that suppress HIV-1, offering potential new AIDS treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) viral load typically increases during secondary infections.
- This study investigated an unusual decrease in HIV-1 levels during scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of acute scrub typhus on HIV-1 viral load.
- To explore the potential for HIV-1 suppressive factors during scrub typhus infection.
Main Methods:
- Serial HIV-1 viral load measurements in Thai adults with scrub typhus and control groups with other infections.
- Assay of sera from scrub typhus patients and immunized mice for HIV-1 suppressive activity in vitro.
Main Results:
- HIV-1 viral load was significantly lower in scrub typhus patients compared to those with other infections.
- A three-fold or greater reduction in HIV-1 RNA was observed in some scrub typhus patients; two had undetectable levels.
- HIV-1 isolates from scrub typhus patients were predominantly non-syncytia inducing variants, unlike those from non-typhus patients.
Conclusions:
- Scrub typhus infection can induce HIV-1 suppressive factors.
- Further investigation of these factors could lead to novel strategies for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.
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