PET Imaging Reveals Early Pulmonary Perfusion Abnormalities in HIV Infection Similar to Smoking.
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ABSTRACT: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common noninfectious pulmonary disease among people living with HIV, independent of smoking. However, the cause for this enhanced susceptibility remains unclear, and the effects of HIV on pulmonary perfusion and ventilation are unknown. Methods: We used PET/CT in 46 smokers and nonsmokers, 23 of whom had documented HIV infection. Emphysema was assessed by CT and perfusion by 13N (13NN) PET scans. After removal of image noise, vertical and axial gradients in perfusion were calculated. We tested for differences in the total spatial heterogeneity of perfusion (CV2 Qtotal) and its components (CV2 Qtotal = CV2 Qvgrad [vertical gradient] + CV2 Qzgrad [axial gradient] + CV2 Qr [residual heterogeneity]) among groups. Results: There were no significant differences in demographic parameters among groups, and all subjects had minimal radiographic evidence of emphysema. Compared with controls, nonsmokers living with HIV had a significantly greater CV2 Qr/CV2 Qtotal (0.48 vs. 0.36, P = 0.05) and reduced CV2 Qvgrad/CV2 Qtotal (0.46 vs. 0.65, P = 0.038). Smokers also had a reduced CV2 Qvgrad/CV2 Qtotal, however, there was no significant difference in CV2 Qvgrad/CV2 Qtotal between smokers living with and without HIV (0.39 vs. 0.34, P = 0.58), despite a decreased vertical perfusion gradient (Qvgrad) in smokers living with HIV. Conclusion: In nonsmokers living with well-controlled HIV and minimal radiographic emphysema, HIV infection contributes to pulmonary perfusion abnormalities similar to smokers. These data indicate the onset of subclinical pulmonary perfusion abnormalities that could herald the development of significant lung disease in these susceptible individuals.
SUBMITTER: Kohli P
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8049351 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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