Related Experiment Videos
Airway resistance and spirometry in children with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 infection
M de Martino1, G Veneruso, C Gabiano
1Department of Medicine, University of Chieti, Italy.
Insights
Perinatal human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) infection in children is linked to higher airway resistance. This resistance increases over time and is not solely due to respiratory complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pulmonology
- Infectious diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Perinatal human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) infection can impact various organ systems in children.
- Airway resistance is a key indicator of respiratory health in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate airway resistance and spirometry in children with perinatal HIV-1 infection.
- To determine the relationship between HIV-1 infection duration and respiratory function.
Main Methods:
- Airway resistance measured using the interrupter technique in HIV-1 infected and healthy children.
- Spirometry performed on a subset of HIV-1 infected children.
- Longitudinal assessment of airway resistance over approximately one year.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher airway resistance observed in HIV-1 infected children compared to controls.
- Airway resistance did not decrease with age in infected children, unlike controls.
- Increased airway resistance persisted and was higher at follow-up evaluations, correlating with infection duration.
Conclusions:
- Perinatal HIV-1 infection is associated with increased airway resistance and abnormal spirometry in children.
- The progression of airway abnormalities is linked to the duration of HIV-1 infection.
- Respiratory complications do not solely account for the observed increases in airway resistance.
Abstract:
Airway resistance was measured by the interrupter technique in 54 children [aged 63.8 months (range: 9.1-131.6 months)], with perinatal human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) infection and in a control group of 315 gender, height, and race-matched healthy children. In addition, 14 HIV-infected children, aged 75-131 months, had spirometry performed. Resistance was significantly higher in infected children than in controls (0.84 +/- 0.3 vs 0.64 +/- 0.08 kPa x l(-1) x s; t = 9.991; P < 0.0001). Resistance decreased with age in controls (r = -0.95; P < 0.001), but not in infected children (r= -0.22; P = 0.105). Resistance did not correlate with mothers' intravenous drug addiction, perinatal data, T-cell subset numbers, treatment, clinical course, or presence of respiratory complications. Resistance was higher (t = 3.103; P < 0.003) in p24 antigen-positive than in negative children. Thirty-nine children underwent a second evaluation 12.3 months (range 11.1-14 months) after the first. Resistance was higher (t = 3.960; P < 0.0001) at the second evaluation compared to the first. Eight of 14 children had abnormal spirometric measurements. We conclude that perinatal HIV-1 infection is associated with increased airway resistance and often abnormal spirometry. The degree of abnormalities in resistance depends on the duration of the infection rather than on HIV-1-related respiratory complications.