CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations in HIV-positive women with cervical squamous intra-epithelial lesions and squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction: This study aimed to analyse cervical lymphocytic populations in HIV+ and HIV- patients and correlate different cervical lesions with HIV viral load and presence of high-risk HPV types. Material and methods: A total of 132 histological specimens from 40 HIV+ and 72 HIV- patients were evaluated for CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell distribution, presence of high-risk HPV types, peripheral blood HIV viral load and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio. Results: High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from HIV + patients had lower CD4(+) T cell scores compared with HIV- patients. In all lesion groups, HIV+ patients presented higher epithelial and stromal CD8(+) T cell scores. HIV viral load was more often detectable in patients with SCC than in those with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) (p = 0.0409). HSIL HIV+ patients had lower circulating CD4(+) T cell counts (p = 0.0434) and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio (p = 0.0378) compared with LSIL HIV+ patients. High-risk HPV types other than 16 and 18/45 were more prevalent in the HIV+ group. Discussion: These results support an imbalance between cervical CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes of HIV+ patients with SIL and SCC, with increased CD8+ infiltrate density with lesion severity, even in patients with immune system recovery under cART. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.

Automated summary

This study analyzed cervical lymphocytic populations in HIV+ and HIV- patients, finding an imbalance between CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes in HIV+ patients with SIL and SCC. The results showed increased CD8+ infiltrate density with lesion severity, even in patients with immune system recovery under antiretroviral therapy.