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Neisseria spp. and AIDS
N Morla1, M Guibourdenche, J Y Riou
1Centre National de Référence des Méningocoques et Neisseria apparentées, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Neisseria meningitidis from various serogroups and two commensal neisseriae (N. sicca and N. perflava) were isolated from 15 patients at various stages of human immunodeficiency virus infection in this clinical and bacteriological study. The cases were grouped into the following three classes: (i) infections with an N. meningitidis strain of a serogroup known to be pathogenic (A, B, or C) and apparently independent of the human immunodeficiency virus infection, (ii) infections with a N. meningitidis strain of a serogroup which is normally either commensal or poorly pathogenic (serogroups Y, X, Z, and Z,29E), (iii) pulmonary and disseminated infections occurring in the course of the clinical evolutionary stage of AIDS, in two cases of which commensal neisseriae (N. sicca and N. perflava) were isolated from blood cultures.
Insights
This study investigated Neisseria meningitidis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Pathogenic and commensal Neisseria strains were identified, revealing varied infection patterns in HIV-positive individuals.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Infectious diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection compromises the immune system, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
- Neisseria meningitidis is a significant human pathogen, while other Neisseria species are typically commensals.
- The interplay between HIV, Neisseria species, and disease progression requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Neisseria meningitidis and commensal Neisseria isolates from patients at different stages of HIV infection.
- To investigate the association between Neisseria serogroups and the clinical presentation in HIV-infected individuals.
- To determine if commensal Neisseria species can cause invasive disease in immunocompromised hosts.
Main Methods:
- Clinical and bacteriological analysis of 15 patients with HIV infection.
- Isolation and identification of Neisseria species from various clinical samples.
- Classification of infections based on Neisseria serogroup pathogenicity and clinical stage of HIV/AIDS.
Main Results:
- Neisseria meningitidis strains from known pathogenic serogroups (A, B, C) were isolated, appearing independent of HIV status.
- Infections with typically commensal or less pathogenic Neisseria serogroups (Y, X, Z, Z,29E) were observed.
- Commensal Neisseria species (N. sicca, N. perflava) were isolated from blood cultures in two cases of advanced AIDS with pulmonary and disseminated infections.
Conclusions:
- Certain Neisseria meningitidis serogroups can cause infections in HIV-positive individuals irrespective of HIV stage.
- Less pathogenic Neisseria serogroups may pose a risk in the context of HIV infection.
- Commensal Neisseria species have the potential to cause severe invasive infections in severely immunocompromised individuals, such as those with AIDS.