Dolutegravir restores gut microbiota in late-stage HIV-1 unlike darunavir: an open-label, randomized clinical trial

Late presentation of HIV-1 infection is linked to gut dysbiosis, impaired immune reconstitution, excess inflammation, immune activation, and increased morbidity and mortality. It is unclear if antiretroviral therapy initiation can reverse HIV-associated gut dysbiosis at all, or if specific antiretroviral regimens are more effective in restoring the gut microbiota than others. This has important implications for the long-term health of individuals with HIV. In this multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial (NCT02337322), 88 antiretroviral-naïve individuals with advanced HIV-1 infection (median CD4+ T cells of 34 cells/mm3) were randomized (1:1) to initiate lamivudine/abacavir plus either dolutegravir or ritonavir-boosted darunavir, and were followed for 2 years. Both groups had similar HIV-1 suppression rates and recovery of CD4+ T cells. However, treatment with dolutegravir led to increased gut microbial richness and diversity and enrichment of specific microbial taxa and metabolic pathways. These changes were associated with reduced inflammation and lower immune activation, outcomes that did not occur with darunavir/ritonavir. After two years, participants on dolutegravir-based therapy had gut microbiota profiles more closely resembling those of people without HIV, compared to individuals taking darunavir/ritonavir. In summary, dolutegravir-based therapy restores the gut microbiota more effectively than darunavir/ritonavir in patients who present late with HIV.