Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis alters the antibody response to HIV-1
This week we highlight the study by Zeeb et al., published in PLOS Pathogens, which offers new insights into how latent tuberculosis (TB) infection shapes the immune response to HIV. This work builds on the long-standing contributions of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS), which has been instrumental in uncovering how Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) influences health beyond just causing active TB—especially in people living with HIV.
Zeeb and colleagues analyzed antibody responses in 2’840 individuals with untreated HIV from the SHCS. They found that people with asymptomatic MTB infection had significantly lower levels of HIV-1–specific antibodies, both in terms of binding strength and neutralization capacity. These effects appear to be linked to reduced HIV viral load in MTB co-infected individuals—suggesting that MTB may dampen HIV antigen exposure through immune modulation.
In contrast, a different antibody pattern—characterized by increased IgG3 responses—was observed in people who later developed active TB. These changes were detectable years before TB symptoms appeared, raising the possibility that shifts in the antibody profile could serve as early warning signals for TB progression.
In summary, this study adds compelling evidence that MTB infection—symptomatic or not—can profoundly affect the immune landscape in people with HIV. These findings may help refine our understanding of HIV/TB co-infection and inform future strategies for TB prediction and prevention.