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Current HIV/AIDS Reports

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Open Access 01-04-2018 | HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment (AL Landay and N Utay, Section Editors)

Sex Differences in HIV Infection

Author: Eileen P. Scully

Published in: Current HIV/AIDS Reports | Issue 2/2018

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review will outline the multilevel effects of biological sex on HIV acquisition, pathogenesis, treatment response, and prospects for cure. Potential mechanisms will be discussed along with future research directions.

Recent Findings

HIV acquisition risk is modified by sex hormones and the vaginal microbiome, with the latter acting through both inflammation and local metabolism of pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs. Female sex associates with enhanced risk for non-AIDS morbidities including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, suggesting different inflammatory profiles in men and women. Data from research on HIV cure points to sex differences in viral reservoir dynamics and a direct role for sex hormones in latency maintenance.

Summary

Biological sex remains an important variable in determining the risk of HIV infection and subsequent viral pathogenesis, and emerging data suggest sex differences relevant to curative interventions. Recruitment of women in HIV clinical research is a pathway to both optimize care for women and to identify novel therapeutics for use in both men and women.

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Title: Sex Differences in HIV Infection
Author: Eileen P. Scully
Publication date: 01-04-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Current HIV/AIDS Reports / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 1548-3568
Electronic ISSN: 1548-3576
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-018-0383-2

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STEP AAG HeroTeaserCollection image/© Tarek / Generated with AI / Stock.adobe.com, ACC 2024 Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease: Year in Review/© 2024 American College of Cardiology, ACC 2024 Pulmonary Vascular Disease: Year in Review/© 2024 American College of Cardiology, ACC 2024 Valvular Heart Disease: Year in Review/© 2024 American College of Cardiology, ACC 2024 HF and Cardiomyopathies: Year in Review/© 2024 American College of Cardiology, Woman out walking/© Seventyfour / stock.adobe.com (symbolic image with model), Woman checking smartwatch /© saltdium / stock.adobe.com (symbolic image with model), Cardiac catheterization/© Damian / stock.adobe.com

At a glance: The STEP trials

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