Advances in sexually transmitted infections of the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

The gastrointestinal mucosa is a target of many sexually transmitted infections, and major advances have increased our understanding of the consequences of such infections within the gastrointestinal system. HIV-1 is associated with a marked loss of mucosal CD4(+) T cells that express CC-chemokine receptor 5. This process seems to be more rapid and more severe in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue than in the peripheral blood. Mechanistic insights into the underlying cause of acute and chronic gastrointestinal damage with HIV infection-microbial translocation, defects in intestinal epithelial barrier function and activation of a systemic immune response-have also been achieved. Increased understanding of the pathogenesis of mucosal HIV-1 infection may identify therapeutic targets to restore immunological function and the integrity of the intestinal mucosal epithelial barrier. The increasing prevalence of lymphogranuloma venereum in Europe, mostly in HIV-positive men who have sex with men, suggests a change in the epidemiology of what was previously considered to be a 'tropical' disease. The increasing incidence of acute HCV infection transmitted via sexual contact has also been fueled by high-risk sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men, many of whom are also HIV-positive. The first part of this Review discusses the pathogenesis and gastrointestinal complications of HIV infection, and the second part summarizes advances in our understanding of other sexually transmitted infections of the gastrointestinal system.