Salivary mycobiome diversity of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remains a major global public health issue. According to estimates by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), by the end of 2023, there were approximately 39.9 million people globally living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). That year, 1.3 million people became newly infected with HIV, and 30.7 million individuals were accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART). While ART has been effective in reducing morbidity and mortality among patients, some individuals still experience poor viral control due to various factors, leading to the development of a range of diseases. Among these, opportunistic fungal infections continue to pose a significant concern for PLWHA.The oral cavity is a common site for fungal infections in PLWHA, and the risk of infection increases gradually with the decline of immunity. Some studies suggest that immunity compromised by HIV infection may lead to altered fungal composition, promoting the development of opportunistic fungal infections in HIV-infected individuals. This study aimed to analyze the differences in mycobiome diversity and community composition in the saliva of PLWHA at different stages of infection compared to HIV-negative individuals.The participants were instructed to collect non-stimulated saliva from 10:00 to 13:00 and refrain from eating, drinking, or oral hygiene procedures for at least 2h before collection. We asked the participants to spit into a 50mL sterile tube, and we then placed the tube on ice in a polystyrene plastic box after collecting approximately 5 mL saliva.