Metabolic insights into HIV/TB co-infection: an untargeted urinary metabolomics approach

Introduction: Amid the global health crisis, HIV/TB co-infection presents significant challenges, amplifying the burden on patients and healthcare systems alike. Metabolomics offers an innovative window into the metabolic disruptions caused by co-infection, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Aim: This study uses untargeted metabolomics to investigate the urinary metabolic signature of HIV/TB co-infection, enhancing understanding of the metabolic interplay between these infections. Methods: Urine samples from South African adults, categorised into four groups — healthy controls, TB-positive, HIV-positive, and HIV/TB co-infected — were analysed using GCxGC-TOFMS. Metabolites showing significant differences among groups were identified through Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results: Various metabolites (n = 23) were modulated across the spectrum of health and disease states represented in the cohorts. The metabolomic profiles reflect a pronounced disruption in biochemical pathways involved in energy production, amino acid metabolism, gut microbiome, and the immune response, suggesting a bidirectional exacerbation between HIV and TB. While both diseases independently perturb the host’s metabolism, their co-infection leads to a unique metabolic phenotype, indicative of an intricate interplay rather than a simple additive effect. Conclusion: Metabolic profiling revealed a unique metabolic landscape shaped by HIV/TB co-infection. The findings highlight the potential of urinary differential metabolites for co-infection, offering a non-invasive tool for enhancing diagnostic precision and tailoring therapeutic interventions. Future research should focus on expanding sample sizes and integrating longitudinal analyses to build upon these foundational insights, paving the way for metabolomic applications in combating these concurrent pandemics.