Mrs Andrea Prinsloo, a PhD student from the Department of Immunology at University of Pretoria presented her research last week at the 18th International Congress of Immunology in Cape Town. The research formed part of the Siyakhula Study, which was carried out at our Research Centre, and is titled "The effects of in utero HIV and ART exposure on infant T-cell and monocyte/macrophage activation, function and regulation of immune-modulatory pathways".
Andrea's research looked into the complex immunological and metabolic changes in infants exposed to in utero HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Her research highlighted that:
HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) infants had poor growth from birth up to 12 months;
Increased maternal immune activation regulation and exhaustion alter basal T-cell and monocyte activation at birth and 10 weeks;
Early suboptimal growth in HEU infants may be associated with decreased levels of beta-hydroxybutyric acid.
Well done Andrea for presenting these exciting findings from your PhD.