Cytokine’s Imbalance, the Hallmark of Immune Dysfunction in HIV/AIDS Patients in Rwanda

Abstract

Cytokines network drive Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) inflammation and pathogenesis. Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) maintains low HIV viral load (VL) but chronic inflammation remains high in HIV subjects compared to HIV naïve population. To date, there is no surrogate biomarker that gives the hallmark picture of immune activation, chronic inflammation in HIV programs. This study aimed at determining the plasma cytokine levels and their association with HIV VL at initiation and after six months on HAART in Rwanda.