Microbial translocation and T cell activation are not associated in chronic HIV-infected children.

A cross-sectional study of 77 chronic HIV-infected children revealed higher levels of biomarkers of inflammation (ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, D-dimer and β-2-microglobulin), immune activation (HLA-DR+ CD38+ CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) and microbial translocation [lipopolysaccaride (LPS), microbial 16S rDNA and sCD14] than 32 healthy controls. Immune activation was higher in viremic children, but microbial translocation occurred independently of viraemia and T cell activation. Our results do not support a relevant role of microbial translocation in T cell activation in chronic HIV-infected children, proposing a need to develop strategies to minimize microbial translocation in the future.