The Influence of Gut Microbiota on Pregnancy Outcome Among HIV-infected Women in Lagos, Nigeria

The Influence of Gut Microbiota on Pregnancy Outcome Among HIV-infected Women in Lagos, Nigeria | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article The Influence of Gut Microbiota on Pregnancy Outcome Among HIV-infected Women in Lagos, Nigeria Joy Isioma Oraegbu This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8096150/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maternal metabolism, immune regulation, and pregnancy outcomes. However, HIV infection disrupts gut microbiota diversity, potentially leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Nigeria bears a high burden of HIV among pregnant women, yet the relationship between gut microbiota diversity and pregnancy outcomes in this population remains underexplored. Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between gut microbiome diversity and pregnancy outcomes among HIV-infected pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 100 pregnant women (50 HIV-positive and 50 HIV-negative) in Lagos, Nigeria. Socio-demographic, clinical, and dietary data were collected using structured questionnaires. Blood samples were analyzed for CD4 count, HIV viral load, and co-infections (HBV and HCV). Fecal samples underwent microbial culture and 16S rRNA sequencing for gut microbiota characterization at the Centre for Human Virology and Genomics, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. Pregnancy outcomes were assessed and compared between the two groups. Results HIV-infected pregnant women exhibited significantly reduced gut microbial diversity and a higher prevalence of Candida albicans (78% vs. 20%; p < 0.001) compared to HIV-uninfected women. Adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight (30% vs. 7.7%; p = 0.004) and preterm birth, were more frequent among HIV-infected women. Proteus mirabilis was significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in the HIV-positive group (p = 0.023). The HIV-positive group also had lower immune status, with 20% showing CD4 counts below 350 cells/µL compared to 2% in the HIV-negative group (p = 0.004). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity was higher in HIV-positive pregnant women (16%) than in HIV-negative women (2%; p = 0.012). Dietary intake varied, with HIV-infected women consuming fewer dairy products and less folic acid supplementation. Conclusion This study highlights the complex interplay between HIV-associated gut dysbiosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Modulation of the gut microbiota, alongside antiretroviral therapy, may improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. These findings provide valuable insight into the microbiome’s role in pregnancy among HIV-infected populations in Nigeria and suggest potential therapeutic targets for reducing pregnancy complications. General Microbiology Gut microbiota HIV Pregnancy outcomes Candida albicans Proteus mirabilis Low birth weight Preterm birth Nigeria Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8096150","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":543937750,"identity":"9f2e4ac6-c615-43c3-ac30-5211ff4a7aad","order_by":0,"name":"Joy Isioma 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Nigeria\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Gut microbiota, HIV, Pregnancy outcomes, Candida albicans, Proteus mirabilis, Low birth weight, Preterm birth, Nigeria","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8096150/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8096150/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGut microbiota plays a crucial role in maternal metabolism, immune regulation, and pregnancy outcomes. However, HIV infection disrupts gut microbiota diversity, potentially leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Nigeria bears a high burden of HIV among pregnant women, yet the relationship between gut microbiota diversity and pregnancy outcomes in this population remains underexplored.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eObjective\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to investigate the association between gut microbiome diversity and pregnancy outcomes among HIV-infected pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 100 pregnant women (50 HIV-positive and 50 HIV-negative) in Lagos, Nigeria. Socio-demographic, clinical, and dietary data were collected using structured questionnaires. Blood samples were analyzed for CD4 count, HIV viral load, and co-infections (HBV and HCV). Fecal samples underwent microbial culture and 16S rRNA sequencing for gut microbiota characterization at the Centre for Human Virology and Genomics, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. Pregnancy outcomes were assessed and compared between the two groups.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHIV-infected pregnant women exhibited significantly reduced gut microbial diversity and a higher prevalence of \u003cem\u003eCandida albicans\u003c/em\u003e (78% vs. 20%; p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) compared to HIV-uninfected women. Adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight (30% vs. 7.7%; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.004) and preterm birth, were more frequent among HIV-infected women. \u003cem\u003eProteus mirabilis\u003c/em\u003e was significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in the HIV-positive group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.023). The HIV-positive group also had lower immune status, with 20% showing CD4 counts below 350 cells/\u0026micro;L compared to 2% in the HIV-negative group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.004). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity was higher in HIV-positive pregnant women (16%) than in HIV-negative women (2%; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.012). Dietary intake varied, with HIV-infected women consuming fewer dairy products and less folic acid supplementation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study highlights the complex interplay between HIV-associated gut dysbiosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Modulation of the gut microbiota, alongside antiretroviral therapy, may improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. These findings provide valuable insight into the microbiome\u0026rsquo;s role in pregnancy among HIV-infected populations in Nigeria and suggest potential therapeutic targets for reducing pregnancy complications.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The Influence of Gut Microbiota on Pregnancy Outcome Among HIV-infected Women in Lagos, Nigeria","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-13 05:34:25","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8096150/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"0c873d5d-6c96-41f3-945a-e6fd21ba19fc","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 13th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":57908019,"name":"General Microbiology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-11-13T05:34:25+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-13 05:34:25","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8096150","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8096150","identity":"rs-8096150","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}