The role of vitamin D in HIV disease

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV affects the body's ability to fight off infection and disease, which can ultimately lead to death. Medications used to treat HIV have enhanced the quality of life and increased life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals. These antiretroviral therapy (ART) medications slow the replication of the virus but do not eliminate HIV infection. Vitamin D is one of the micronutrients that can have a significant role in controlling the HIV infection. In Iran as is the case in many parts of the world, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is on the rise. The difference of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency between HIV infected and non-infected group and also the mechanism with which vitamin D controls the HIV disease, is not clear and is currently the subject of many studies. In recent years, several cross-sectional and prospective studies have reported high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in people with HIV. A number of studies have compared the prevalence of deficiency in HIV infected and uninfected groups, and have obtained different results. Many studies have investigated the role of vitamin D in various HIV related issues such as the transmission from mother to child, comorbidities, immune system, CD4+ and autophagy. In most studies, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high, but to identify the difference of prevalence in HIV infected and non-infected groups, there is need for further studies. Vitamin D can reduce the progression of HIV disease, but there are contradictory findings about the CD4+ count. In general, vitamin D is effective in controlling HIV infection, but additional RCTs are needed to establish what kind of vitamin D and what dose of vitamin D is required for repletion of low 25 (OH) D levels. Keywords: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, Human immunodeficiency virus, Vitamin D, CD4+, Immune system Keywords: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, Human immunodeficiency virus, Vitamin D, CD4+, Immune system The role of vitamin D in HIV disease M Abd Mishani, M Hajifaraji, M Najmi, N Najmi Abstract: (3564 Views) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV affects the body's ability to fight off infection and disease, which can ultimately lead to death. Medications used to treat HIV have enhanced the quality of life and increased life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals. These antiretroviral therapy (ART) medications slow the replication of the virus but do not eliminate HIV infection. Vitamin D is one of the micronutrients that can have a significant role in controlling the HIV infection. In Iran as is the case in many parts of the world, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is on the rise. The difference of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency between HIV infected and non-infected group and also the mechanism with which vitamin D controls the HIV disease, is not clear and is currently the subject of many studies. In recent years, several cross-sectional and prospective studies have reported high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in people with HIV. A number of studies have compared the prevalence of deficiency in HIV infected and uninfected groups, and have obtained different results. Many studies have investigated the role of vitamin D in various HIV related issues such as the transmission from mother to child, comorbidities, immune system, CD4+ and autophagy. In most studies, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high, but to identify the difference of prevalence in HIV infected and non-infected groups, there is need for further studies. Vitamin D can reduce the progression of HIV disease, but there are contradictory findings about the CD4+ count. In general, vitamin D is effective in controlling HIV infection, but additional RCTs are needed to establish what kind of vitamin D and what dose of vitamin D is required for repletion of low 25 (OH) D levels.