Individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are susceptible to immune system dysregulation, particularly during co‑infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Although there is an association between cytokine profiles and HIV‑MTB co‑infection, little is known about the cytokine‑related host immune response mechanism to HIV‑MTB co‑infection. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze expression of cytokines IL‑17A, IFN‑γ, TNF, IL‑2, IL‑10, IL‑6 and IL‑4 in individuals with HIV‑MTB co‑infection. A total of 30 patients with HIV and 40 with HIV‑MTB co‑infection were recruited into the present study, including those with active (A) (n=19) and latent (L)TB (n=21). HIV infection status was established based on national HIV guideline (Pedoman Nasional Pelayanan Kedokteran Tatalaksana HIV). ATB was confirmed using a positive acid‑fast bacillus staining and culture of sputum; LTB status was established using IFN‑γ release assay. Furthermore, the levels of cytokines IL‑17A, IFN‑γ, TNF, IL‑10, IL‑6, IL‑4 and IL‑2 were measured using flow cytometric bead array and CD4 cell count was performed by PIMA™ CD4 assay. IFN‑γ, TNF, IL‑10, IL‑6 and IL‑2 were able to significantly differentiate patients with HIV‑ATB from those with HIV‑LTB. Furthermore, in the patient subgroup with CD4 count <350 cells/µl, IFN‑γ, IL‑10 and IL‑6 were able to differentiate between patients with HIV‑ATB and HIV alone, as well as between patients with HIV‑ATB and HIV‑LTB. Based on these findings, the cytokine profiles are likely to be distinct between individuals with HIV infection with A‑ and LTB. Furthermore, the expression of CD4‑positive T cells may influence the immune response in the body under HIV‑MTB co‑infection.

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