Elevated plasma matrix metalloproteinases are associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis bloodstream infection and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus-associated tuberculosis.

Mortality from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated tuberculosis (TB) is high, particularly among hospitalized patients. In 433 people with HIV hospitalized with symptoms of TB, we investigated plasma matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and matrix-derived biomarkers in relation to TB diagnosis, mortality, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bloodstream infection (BSI). Compared to other diagnoses, MMP-8 was elevated in confirmed TB and in Mtb-BSI, positively correlating with extracellular matrix breakdown products. Baseline MMP-3, -7, -8, -10, and PIIINP were associated with Mtb-BSI and 12-week mortality. These findings implicate MMP dysregulation in pathophysiology of advanced HIV-TB and support MMP inhibition as a host-directed therapeutic strategy for HIV-TB.