CXCL8 and infection: It has been well established that persistent inflammation remains in HIV patients despite viral suppression and an increase in CD4+ T cell counts.58, 59, 60Leishmania infections alone are also associated with persistent inflammation, and the present study shows that levels of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 remained increased 6–12 months after the end of antileishmanial treatment.