There is a merging between the methamphetamine (meth) and HIV epidemics. Since 2018, more than half of new HIV infections in Manitoba have been among people who inject drugs (PWID), with meth as the leading substance injected.

People who inject drugs are more likely to have multiple infections transmitted by sexual contact or blood products (referred to as STBBI), and women tend to be more affected than men. Meth use and STBBI can have dramatic impacts on the immune system, with each independently leading to inflammation and increased susceptibility to other infections, including HIV. However, the combined effects of meth use and STBBIs on inflammation and immune system function in PWID are unclear.

This study aims to address these gaps in knowledge by measuring inflammation, immune cell activation and immune function in blood samples from PWID who use meth. We’ll also try to determine whether STBBIs further aggravate these immune outcomes.

We’ll also test the extent to which cells from the study participants are readily infected with HIV in the lab, to see whether the immune outcomes are related to HIV susceptibility. We will explore how biological sex and gender impact these effects in PWID.

This study will reveal important information regarding the immune health of PWID. It’ll help guide approaches to engaging them in STBBI prevention and harm reduction strategies that address their needs.

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