Salivary mycobiome alterations in HIV-infected MSM: dominance of Pseudogymnoascus and functional shifts across disease stages

BackgroundOral health is increasingly recognized as a crucial determinant of overall health in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Specifically, the oral mycobiome may play a pivotal role in HIV-associated oral complications. However, the fungal species involved and their potential as biomarkers fo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ying Guo, Lu Lin, Miao Zhang, Yixi Yu, Yan Wang, Jie Cao, Yuchen Li, Xintong Sun, Meilin Guan, Shuo Wen, Xin Wang, Zhen Fang, Wenshan Duan, Junyi Duan, Tao Huang, Wei Xia, Shan Guo, Feili Wei, Dongxiang Zheng, Xiaojie Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1564891/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850144507871363072
author Ying Guo
Ying Guo
Lu Lin
Miao Zhang
Yixi Yu
Yan Wang
Jie Cao
Yuchen Li
Xintong Sun
Meilin Guan
Shuo Wen
Xin Wang
Zhen Fang
Wenshan Duan
Junyi Duan
Tao Huang
Wei Xia
Shan Guo
Feili Wei
Dongxiang Zheng
Xiaojie Huang
author_facet Ying Guo
Ying Guo
Lu Lin
Miao Zhang
Yixi Yu
Yan Wang
Jie Cao
Yuchen Li
Xintong Sun
Meilin Guan
Shuo Wen
Xin Wang
Zhen Fang
Wenshan Duan
Junyi Duan
Tao Huang
Wei Xia
Shan Guo
Feili Wei
Dongxiang Zheng
Xiaojie Huang
author_sort Ying Guo
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundOral health is increasingly recognized as a crucial determinant of overall health in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Specifically, the oral mycobiome may play a pivotal role in HIV-associated oral complications. However, the fungal species involved and their potential as biomarkers for HIV-related oral conditions remain poorly understood. This study investigates salivary fungal profiles in PLWHA who have sex with men (MSM), focusing on diversity, functional shifts, and correlations with disease progression.MethodsA cross-sectional study included 25 MSM participants divided into five groups: HIV-negative controls (n = 5) and four HIV-positive groups stratified by CD4 count: Stage 0 (HIV RNA-positive/antibody-negative; n = 5), Stage 1 (CD4 ≥500 cells/μL; n = 5), Stage 2 (CD4 200–499 cells/μL; n = 5), and Stage 3 (CD4 <200 cells/μL or opportunistic infections; n = 5). Saliva samples were collected and analyzed using metagenomic sequencing (Illumina NovaSeq platform). Bioinformatic analyses included genome assembly (MEGAHIT), gene clustering (CD-HIT), gene abundance calculation (SOAPaligner), species annotation (BLASTP), and KEGG pathway annotation (KOBAS 2.0). Statistical analyses (Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman’s correlation) assessed associations between fungal profiles, CD4 count, and viral loads.ResultsA total of 51 fungal genera were identified, with Pseudogymnoascus being the most abundant. Functional analysis revealed 113 shared KEGG pathways, of which 69 were unique to Stage 3, primarily related to metabolic and disease-related processes. Notably, Auricularia exhibited a positive correlation with CD4 count (P ≤ 0.01), while Mucor showed a negative correlation (P = 0.0299).ConclusionsSalivary mycobiome composition and function shift significantly across HIV stages, reflecting immune decline. Pseudogymnoascus dominance challenges conventional views of oral fungal ecology in immunocompromised hosts. These findings highlight the mycobiome’s diagnostic potential for monitoring HIV-related oral health. Longitudinal studies are needed to validate clinical relevance.
format Article
id doaj-art-c630430c68e348b4b7e07ce8110aec13
institution OA Journals
issn 2235-2988
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-c630430c68e348b4b7e07ce8110aec132025-08-20T02:28:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-05-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.15648911564891Salivary mycobiome alterations in HIV-infected MSM: dominance of Pseudogymnoascus and functional shifts across disease stagesYing Guo0Ying Guo1Lu Lin2Miao Zhang3Yixi Yu4Yan Wang5Jie Cao6Yuchen Li7Xintong Sun8Meilin Guan9Shuo Wen10Xin Wang11Zhen Fang12Wenshan Duan13Junyi Duan14Tao Huang15Wei Xia16Shan Guo17Feili Wei18Dongxiang Zheng19Xiaojie Huang20Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaClinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaClinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaClinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaClinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaClinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaClinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaBackgroundOral health is increasingly recognized as a crucial determinant of overall health in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Specifically, the oral mycobiome may play a pivotal role in HIV-associated oral complications. However, the fungal species involved and their potential as biomarkers for HIV-related oral conditions remain poorly understood. This study investigates salivary fungal profiles in PLWHA who have sex with men (MSM), focusing on diversity, functional shifts, and correlations with disease progression.MethodsA cross-sectional study included 25 MSM participants divided into five groups: HIV-negative controls (n = 5) and four HIV-positive groups stratified by CD4 count: Stage 0 (HIV RNA-positive/antibody-negative; n = 5), Stage 1 (CD4 ≥500 cells/μL; n = 5), Stage 2 (CD4 200–499 cells/μL; n = 5), and Stage 3 (CD4 <200 cells/μL or opportunistic infections; n = 5). Saliva samples were collected and analyzed using metagenomic sequencing (Illumina NovaSeq platform). Bioinformatic analyses included genome assembly (MEGAHIT), gene clustering (CD-HIT), gene abundance calculation (SOAPaligner), species annotation (BLASTP), and KEGG pathway annotation (KOBAS 2.0). Statistical analyses (Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman’s correlation) assessed associations between fungal profiles, CD4 count, and viral loads.ResultsA total of 51 fungal genera were identified, with Pseudogymnoascus being the most abundant. Functional analysis revealed 113 shared KEGG pathways, of which 69 were unique to Stage 3, primarily related to metabolic and disease-related processes. Notably, Auricularia exhibited a positive correlation with CD4 count (P ≤ 0.01), while Mucor showed a negative correlation (P = 0.0299).ConclusionsSalivary mycobiome composition and function shift significantly across HIV stages, reflecting immune decline. Pseudogymnoascus dominance challenges conventional views of oral fungal ecology in immunocompromised hosts. These findings highlight the mycobiome’s diagnostic potential for monitoring HIV-related oral health. Longitudinal studies are needed to validate clinical relevance.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1564891/fullsalivamycobiomePLWHAMSMmetagenomic analysesKEGG function
spellingShingle Ying Guo
Ying Guo
Lu Lin
Miao Zhang
Yixi Yu
Yan Wang
Jie Cao
Yuchen Li
Xintong Sun
Meilin Guan
Shuo Wen
Xin Wang
Zhen Fang
Wenshan Duan
Junyi Duan
Tao Huang
Wei Xia
Shan Guo
Feili Wei
Dongxiang Zheng
Xiaojie Huang
Salivary mycobiome alterations in HIV-infected MSM: dominance of Pseudogymnoascus and functional shifts across disease stages
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
saliva
mycobiome
PLWHA
MSM
metagenomic analyses
KEGG function
title Salivary mycobiome alterations in HIV-infected MSM: dominance of Pseudogymnoascus and functional shifts across disease stages
title_full Salivary mycobiome alterations in HIV-infected MSM: dominance of Pseudogymnoascus and functional shifts across disease stages
title_fullStr Salivary mycobiome alterations in HIV-infected MSM: dominance of Pseudogymnoascus and functional shifts across disease stages
title_full_unstemmed Salivary mycobiome alterations in HIV-infected MSM: dominance of Pseudogymnoascus and functional shifts across disease stages
title_short Salivary mycobiome alterations in HIV-infected MSM: dominance of Pseudogymnoascus and functional shifts across disease stages
title_sort salivary mycobiome alterations in hiv infected msm dominance of pseudogymnoascus and functional shifts across disease stages
topic saliva
mycobiome
PLWHA
MSM
metagenomic analyses
KEGG function
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1564891/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yingguo salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT yingguo salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT lulin salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT miaozhang salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT yixiyu salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT yanwang salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT jiecao salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT yuchenli salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT xintongsun salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT meilinguan salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT shuowen salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT xinwang salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT zhenfang salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT wenshanduan salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT junyiduan salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT taohuang salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT weixia salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT shanguo salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT feiliwei salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT dongxiangzheng salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages
AT xiaojiehuang salivarymycobiomealterationsinhivinfectedmsmdominanceofpseudogymnoascusandfunctionalshiftsacrossdiseasestages