Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research

Meridith Blevins

Publications

• Research Article
  Increased Systemic Inflammation is Associated with Cardiac and Vascular Dysfunction over the First 12 Weeks of Antiretroviral Therapy among Undernourished, HIV-Infected Adults in Southern Africa
  Author(s): Michael Bestawros, Takondwa Chidumayo, Meridith Blevins, Ashley Canipe, Jay Bala, Paul Kelly, Suzanne Filteau, Bryan E Shepherd, Douglas C Heimburger and John R KoetheMichael Bestawros, Takondwa Chidumayo, Meridith Blevins, Ashley Canipe, Jay Bala, Paul Kelly, Suzanne Filteau, Bryan E Shepherd, Douglas C Heimburger and John R Koethe
  
  Introduction: Persistent systemic inflammation is associated with mortality among undernourished, HIV-infected adults starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa, but the etiology of these deaths is not well understood. We hypothesized that greater systemic inflammation is accompanied by cardiovascular dysfunction over the first 12 weeks of ART. Methods: In a prospective cohort of 33 undernourished (body mass index <18.5 kg/m2) Zambian adults starting ART, we measured C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 1 (TNF-α R1), and soluble CD163 and CD14 at baseline and 12 weeks. An EndoPAT device measured the reactive hyperemia index (LnRHI; a measure of endothelial responsiveness), peripheral augmentation index (AI; a measure of arterial stiffness), and heart rate variability (HRV; a general marker of autonomic tone and car.. Read More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2155-6113.1000431

  Abstract PDF