This study is to understand HIV-infected cocaine users have poor immunity after anti-HIV treatment, but HIV-infected cannabis users are likely different. Cocaine use always is associated high inflammation and cannabis use is associated with low inflammation. We study how inflammation cannot be controlled in cocaine users; our goal is to develop new therapies to help cocaine users to have a better health and immunity.

HIV infected cocaine users have uncontrolled viral levels and impaired immunity to control infection compared to HIV infected non-drug users. We ask the questions why cocaine use makes HIV infected cocaine users more sick than other patients. The goal is to improve immunity to control HIV infection in cocaine users. Both uninfected cocaine users and HIV-infected cocaine users are especially needed in this study.

This study will examine how marijuana use can affect oral bacteria and brain health in people with HIV and without HIV. Early studies show that marijuana users have more oral bacteria than non-marijuana users. The increase in bacteria is believed to affect brain health. Participation in the study will be one visit. The visit will take approximately 120 minutes.

This proposed project is to investigate the role of cocaine use in B cell dysfunctions and poor immune recovery from antiretroviral therapy in HIV.

This study is to find the causes of treatment failure in some HIV patients. Thus, HIV-infected patients under antiretroviral treatment and uninfected healthy controls will be recruited in this study to donate blood, urine, saliva, and nasal swab. Compensation will be paid for you to participate in this study.