Arshad O, et al. - As HIV infection is associated with chronic inflammation, researchers examined the relationship between cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) and proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the context of HIV infection. In addition, they optimized separation of cell-free plasma from blood. People living with HIV showed higher levels of circulating cf-mtDNA than their uninfected peers. Increased levels of inflammatory marker IL-6 are associated with elevated cf-mtDNA. These are irrespective of the effect of HIV infection. In younger people, the higher cf-mtDNA levels and white blood cell count indicate higher cell turnover.