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Abstract Background Oxidative stress (OS) is the imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant molecules, in favour of oxidants, that has been associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in ART-treated people living with HIV (PLWH). We aimed to assess factors associated with OS in virologically suppressed PLWH on long-term modern ART. Method In this cross-sectional study we evaluated OS by measuring both the levels of derivatives-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP). We also calculated the BAP/d-ROMs ratio, (OS index, OSi); a cut-off value

Background: Oxidative stress (OS) is the imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant molecules, in favour of oxidants, that has been associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in ART-treated people living with HIV (PLWH). We aimed to assess factors associated with OS in virologically suppressed PLWH on long-term modern ART. Method: In this cross-sectional study we evaluated OS by measuring both the levels of derivatives-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP). We also calculated the BAP/d-ROMs ratio, (OS index, OSi); a cut-off value < 7.3 indicated OS. Factors associated with OS markers were explored by linear regression model. Results: We enrolled 299 experienced PLWH with virological suppression (HIV-RNA < 50cps/mL). The mean of the d-ROMs levels was 409 UCARR (95%CI 394–422), whereas the mean of the BAP levels was 1.809 µmol/L (95%CI 1706–1851). The OSi mean value was 4.84, and 91.6% of the participants were below the cut-off value. By regression analysis, higher production of oxidants was associated with female sex (p < 0.001), current exposition to PIs (p = 0.030) and HCV co-infection (p = 0.006). Higher antioxidant capacity was correlated with higher HDL levels (p = 0.001). A lower OSi was associated with female sex (p = 0.003) and the current use of triple vs. dual regimen (p = 0.036). The OSi correlated negatively with cholesterol levels (p = 0.002) and positively with HDL (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Virologically suppressed PLWH on long-term ART showed a marked OS. Female sex, the exposure to PIs, and HCV co-infection were associated with higher oxidants, while higher HDL levels were linked to better antioxidant capacity. Interestingly, dual therapy, especially INSTI-based regimens, was associated with lower oxidative stress compared to triple therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary motive of this research was to check for the presence of microbial species which has the ability to produce biosurfactant. The soil samples were collected from petrol bunk which was contaminated with petroleum oil and enrichment technique was carried out with minimal salt medium (MSM) for isolation of microbial strain. Serial dilutions of the enriched culture were performed. Two bacterial isolates and one fungal isolate showed activity for biosurfactant production. The methods employed for screening were oil displacement, oil drop collapse, blood hemolysis, blue agar plate method and confirmatory tests like phenol-sulphuric acid method. Both, bacterial isolates (MB1 and MB2) and fungal isolate (JAD1) showed emulsification activity of 41.66 %, 64.70 % and 90.90 % respectively. Biosurfactant was extracted and screened for antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram-negative clinical pathogens. These biosurfactant producing isolates can be used to enhance in situ bioremediation of soils contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).