Skin Carotenoid Scores Reflect Immune Status among Children Living with HIV in Tanzania

Authors

• Wilbert Mbuya
• Thobias Boniphace
• Michael Mwagala
• Peter Agrea
• Nazareth M Mbilinyi
• Nancy E Moran
• Andrew R DiNardo
• Mkunde Chachage

Language

English

Publication Date

9-8-2026

Journal

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

DOI

10.4269/ajtmh.26-0169

PMID

42710484

PMCID

PMC13550753

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

9-3-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Many individuals living with HIV experience persistent inflammation despite antiretroviral treatment, increasing their risk for cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline, and other noncommunicable diseases. Carotenoids can inhibit this inflammation by reducing lipid peroxidation. Carotenoid intake and plasma concentrations can be approximated using a noninvasive cutaneous spectrophotometer. This study quantified skin carotenoid levels in Tanzanian children ages 5 to 15 years old (N = 185) both with and without HIV. Over 95% had low to moderate skin carotenoid scores (< 400 units). In children living with HIV, higher viral loads were linked to lower skin carotenoid scores (rho = -0.57, P < 0.001), whereas higher CD4 counts correlated with increased skin carotenoid scores (rho = 0.52, P < 0.001). Overall, carotenoid levels were low and associated with immune status, suggesting that elevated carotenoid scores correlate with lower inflammation in children living with HIV. Future studies investigating dietary carotenoid interventions to support immune function are warranted.

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Mbuya, Wilbert; Boniphace, Thobias; Mwagala, Michael; et al., "Skin Carotenoid Scores Reflect Immune Status among Children Living with HIV in Tanzania" (2026). Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications. 391.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/staff_pub/391