IL-10 and IL-17 as Progression Markers of Syphilis in People Living with HIV: A Systematic Review

Much is known about the natural history of syphilis; however, less is known about the immune response against it, and even less is known about people living with HIV (PLWH). Due to the lack of an animal model to study host-pathogen interactions, it remains unclear how the host eliminates the bacteria. Here, we attempt to elucidate the immune response against infection by summarizing all the reported data in a systematic review. We found that only seven papers included PLWH, and they did not accurately describe the immune response against Treponema pallidum since only lymphopenia was reported upon coinfection. On the other hand, at least sixteen papers described the host-pathogen interaction in individual cell populations. Using this information, we established the kinetics of the immune response against syphilis and hypothesized how CD4(+) T cells, such as Th17 and T rex cells, worsen the progression of the disease in PLWH through their hallmark cytokines, IL-10 and IL-17, and how these two cytokines may play important roles as biomarkers.

Automated summary

There is limited knowledge about the immune response against syphilis, particularly in people living with HIV (PLWH). This systematic review summarizes the available data on immune response against infection and suggests a potential role for CD4(+)T cells, such as Th17 and T rex cells, in worsening the progression of the disease in PLWH through the cytokines IL-10 and IL-17.