Grant: Doctoral Research Award -PA: Research in First Nations, Métis &/or Inuit Health

HIV disproportionally affects the indigenous peoples of Canada with an incident rate 3.5 times higher than the national average and is associated with social-health factors such as poverty. Solvent use, the inhaling of substances to get a psychoactive effect, among street-involved individuals in Winnipeg is considerably higher than the population average. As HIV risk and solvent use are both associated with poverty, understanding how they interact with each other is an important question. Inflammation is a major biological risk factor for contracting HIV. Since solvent use is believed to cause inflammation, it may contribute to HIV acquisition risk and disease progression. However, there is a little information about the effect of solvent use on the immune system generally or HIV susceptibility specifically. Following consultations with the community, and in conjunction with our community partner Sunshine House, I conducted a pilot study of 14 HIV- solvent users and 13 community matched controls. When I analyzed their blood, I found that solvent users exhibited higher levels of immune activation. To confirm and extend this observation, we will enroll 100 Individuals with and without HIV who are or are not solvent users. We will perform studies to determine if solvent users have more inflammation than matched non-solvent users and if HIV positive individuals are at greater risk for faster HIV-disease progression. We will assess the impact of solvent use on: bacteria access to the blood, markers of inflammation and the functioning of the immune system. Understanding the effects of solvent use on the immune system and the potential impact on HIV risk and diseases progression is an important step in improving the health of this underserved community.