Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples
Published on: July 6, 2014
Bacterial vaginosis in HIV-infected women induces reversible alterations in the cervical immune environment
Anuradha Rebbapragada1, Kathryn Howe, Charles Wachihi
1Clinical Science Division, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been associated with increased HIV cervicovaginal shedding. We hypothesized that this might relate to BV-associated increases in mucosal activated CD4 T cells, which could enhance local HIV replication.
Methods:
Vaginal flora, cytokine/chemokine levels, and mucosal immune cell populations collected by cervical cytobrush were analyzed in 15 HIV-infected Kenyan female sex workers, before and after BV therapy with oral metronidazole.
Results:
Therapy reduced the Nugent score in all but 1 participant, and BV elimination was associated with reduced genital levels of interleukin 1beta(IL1beta), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and Regulated Upon Activation Normal T-cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES). In addition, BV elimination reduced the total number of cervical CD4 T cells, including those expressing the HIV coreceptor CCR5 and the activation marker CD69.
Conclusions:
BV induces significant and reversible alterations in cervical immune cell populations and local inflammatory cytokines that would be expected to enhance local HIV replication.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Candidiasis
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
Trichomoniasis
Retrovirus Life Cycles

