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Pathogens
Special Issues
HIV/AIDS Co-Infections and Non-AIDS Co-Morbidities
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HIV/AIDS Co-Infections and Non-AIDS Co-Morbidities

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 2089

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Manuela C. Arbune

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunarea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania
Interests: HIV; HIV/AIDS co-infections; adherence in HIV therapy; HIV prevention
Dr. Florentina Dumitrescu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Interests: HIV infection; severe systemic infections; comorbidities in HIV-infected patients

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to contribute to the Special Issue entitled “HIV/AIDS Co-Infections and Non-AIDS Co-Morbidities.” This Special Issue will highlight the evolving challenges and clinical, epidemiological, and therapeutic perspectives associated with the complexity of HIV infection beyond the classical definition of AIDS.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a major global public health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. Although effective antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) have transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition, significant challenges remain. While Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-related deaths have declined, people living with HIV continue to experience higher mortality than the general population due to chronic inflammation, the aging of the HIV-positive population, and co-infections. The leading causes of illness and death are now similar to those in the general population, though these conditions may develop earlier in HIV-positive individuals. New paradigms highlight the need for integrated and comprehensive care, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

This Special Issue provides a platform to present and exchange innovative research on the health challenges of people living with HIV in the era of effective ARTs. Contributions may cover morbidity, mortality, and therapeutic strategies for non-AIDS comorbidities, including cardiovascular, renal, liver, metabolic, endocrine, neurocognitive, and mental health disorders; neoplasms; and co-infections with hepatitis viruses or other non-AIDS-defining pathogens.

Researchers across disciplines are encouraged to submit original research articles, clinical studies, cohort analyses, review papers, and interdisciplinary perspectives that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the development of innovative approaches to patient care.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions and hope that this Special Issue will become a reference resource for researchers and clinicians.

Prof. Dr. Manuela C. Arbune
Dr. Florentina Dumitrescu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • HIV
  • AIDS
  • non-AIDS co-infections
  • non-AIDS comorbidities
  • non-AIDS cancers
  • chronic inflammation
  • HIV-associated aging
  • morbidity and mortality
  • antiretroviral therapies (ARTs)
  • non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 224 KB  
Article
Ocular Syphilis in Individuals with and Without HIV: A Single-Center University Hospital Experience
by Murat Hakan Kır, Aysun Benli, Zarifa Orta, Seniha Başaran, Merih Oray and Halit Özsüt
Pathogens 2026, 15(3), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15030256 - 27 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Syphilis is a re-emerging sexually transmitted infection with rising incidence worldwide, often associated with HIV infection. Ocular syphilis represents a severe manifestation that can occur at any disease stage and may result in permanent vision loss if not promptly diagnosed and treated. We [...] Read more.
Syphilis is a re-emerging sexually transmitted infection with rising incidence worldwide, often associated with HIV infection. Ocular syphilis represents a severe manifestation that can occur at any disease stage and may result in permanent vision loss if not promptly diagnosed and treated. We conducted a retrospective comparative cohort study of 22 patients with ocular syphilis managed at Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, between 2019 and 2025. Twelve patients (54.5%) were people living with HIV (PLWH). The majority were male (81.8%), with a mean age of 45.2 years. Visual loss was observed in more than half of the patients and occurred significantly more frequently in PLWH than in HIV-negative individuals (100% vs. 70%; p = 0.046). Vitritis was also significantly more frequent among PLWH (91.7% vs. 40%; p = 0.02), indicating more severe intraocular inflammation. All six cases of neurosyphilis were confined to PLWH (50% vs. 0%; p = 0.004). The most common ocular manifestations were uveitis (90.9%), predominantly panuveitis and posterior uveitis. All patients received intravenous penicillin G or ceftriaxone, and systemic corticosteroids were administered in half of the cases. Clinical improvement was observed in all patients. Our findings highlight that ocular syphilis in PLWH is associated with more severe inflammation and higher neurosyphilis risk, underscoring the importance of routine cerebrospinal fluid examination and neurosyphilis-based treatment strategies in this group. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV/AIDS Co-Infections and Non-AIDS Co-Morbidities)
13 pages, 870 KB  
Article
Triple Burden of HIV, HBV and HDV in Adults with Childhood Parenterally Acquired Infections: A Romanian Single-Center Study
by Manuela Arbune, Alina-Viorica Iancu, Monica-Daniela Padurariu-Covit, Alina Plesea-Condratovici, Anca-Adriana Arbune and Catalin Plesea-Condratovici
Pathogens 2025, 14(12), 1261; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14121261 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 557
Abstract
Background: Co-infections with HIV, HBV, and HDV pose significant public health challenges, especially in populations exposed parenterally. Romania hosts a unique pediatric HIV cohort of individuals born 1987–1995 who acquired HIV iatrogenically. This study assessed the prevalence, hepatic impact, and management of HIV–HBV–HDV [...] Read more.
Background: Co-infections with HIV, HBV, and HDV pose significant public health challenges, especially in populations exposed parenterally. Romania hosts a unique pediatric HIV cohort of individuals born 1987–1995 who acquired HIV iatrogenically. This study assessed the prevalence, hepatic impact, and management of HIV–HBV–HDV co-infection in 130 long-term survivors from Galați County. Methods: Patients underwent clinical, laboratory, and FibroScan assessments. HBV and HDV serology and viral loads were measured, and antiretroviral therapy regimens, including tenofovir-based therapies, were reviewed. Entecavir or Bulevirtide was applied when indicated. Results: HBV infection was present in 57.7% of cohort patients versus 20% in non-cohort PLWH, and HDV co-infection in 7.7% of cohort patients. Hepatic fibrosis increased from HBV-uninfected to HBV/HDV co-infected individuals. HIV impairs viral clearance and exacerbates liver injury via immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation. Despite TDF-based ART, replicative HBV was detected in eight patients, managed with Entecavir. Bulevirtide therapy for HDV was initiated in eligible patients, with minor adverse events. Conclusions: Pediatric HIV cohort survivors show high rates of HBV and HDV co-infection and progressive hepatic fibrosis. Optimized antiviral therapy and adherence support are essential to control viral replication and reduce liver-related complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV/AIDS Co-Infections and Non-AIDS Co-Morbidities)
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Review

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28 pages, 3309 KB  
Review
Immune Dysregulation in HIV-TB Co-Infection: Role of Cytokines and T Cell Biomarkers—A Narrative Review
by Catherine Keiko Gunawan, Anton Sumarpo and Agnes Rengga Indrati
Pathogens 2026, 15(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15010051 - 3 Jan 2026
Viewed by 902
Abstract
Immune dysregulation is a hallmark of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, characterized by persistent immune activation and systemic inflammation that drive T cell exhaustion and senescence, contributing to disease progression and non-AIDS comorbidities, most notably tuberculosis (TB). With rising HIV prevalence, the incidence [...] Read more.
Immune dysregulation is a hallmark of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, characterized by persistent immune activation and systemic inflammation that drive T cell exhaustion and senescence, contributing to disease progression and non-AIDS comorbidities, most notably tuberculosis (TB). With rising HIV prevalence, the incidence of HIV-TB co-infection continues to rise, highlighting the need to understand their immunopathological interplay. This narrative review aims to examine the association between immune dysregulation in HIV-TB co-infection, with a focus on cytokine profiles and immunological biomarkers. Relevant literature was retrieved from multiple databases, with evidence demonstrating differential expression of cytokines—IL-17A, IFN-γ, TNF, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-2—and T cell activation markers, such as CD38 and HLA-DR on CD4+ T cells in latent and active TB among HIV-infected individuals. These immune mediators are consistently co-expressed at higher levels in active TB compared to latent TB, suggesting heightened immune activation of both innate and adaptive immune responses in HIV-TB co-infection. However, these findings are largely based on observational data, and the precise mechanism by which cytokine and T cell biomarker dysregulation contributes to HIV-TB pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, underscoring the need for larger, mechanistic studies to address these gaps in the pathogenic pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV/AIDS Co-Infections and Non-AIDS Co-Morbidities)
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