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Review
. 2018 Apr;15(2):136-146.
doi: 10.1007/s11904-018-0383-2.

Sex Differences in HIV Infection

Eileen P Scully  1
Affiliations
Review

Sex Differences in HIV Infection

Eileen P Scully. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2018 Apr.

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. 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.

Keywords: Cure; HIV; Inflammation; Pathogenesis; Prevention; Sex.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The author declares that she has no competing interests.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of five critical domains of sex differences with relevance for HIV infection and potential or demonstrated mechanisms for their effects
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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