CD4+ monocyte counts in persons with HIV-1 infection: an early increase is followed by a progressive decline

Article Abstract:

Human macrophages (cells that engulf foreign substances and are involved in the immune response) and monocytes (macrophages in the blood) can contain the molecule CD4, the receptor for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). CD4 is also found on helper T cells, which are important in generating the immune response. After the virus infects the helper T cells, the virus eventually destroys the cells, causing the immune-deficient state. Monocytes and macrophages that are infected with HIV are apparently not destroyed; it is thought that the virus can live in and is protected in these cells, contributing to the disease state. The numbers of CD4+ and CD4-monocytes were compared in 90 individuals who were infected with HIV and 43 individuals who were not infected with HIV, with the latter serving as controls. The patients had a wide spectrum of CD4+ T cell counts, ranging from normal to very low counts. As the number of CD4+ T cells decreased, the number of CD4+ monocytes also decreased. Patients who had early-stage HIV disease, in whom the number of CD4+ T cells was still high, had greater numbers of CD4+ monocytes than those individuals who were not infected. Therefore, CD4+ monocytes increase during the early stage of infection, and then decrease as CD4+ T cells decrease during the progression of disease. The role of the CD4+ monocyte in HIV disease is not completely understood, but is thought to include suppression of the immune system. The loss of CD4+ monocytes with disease progression is not understood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Cell proliferation, Monocytes

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Comparison of spinal fluid beta2-microglobulin levels with CD4+ T cell count, in vitro T helper cell function, and spinal fluid IgG parameters in 163 neurologically normal adults infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Article Abstract:

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks and destroys cells of the immune system, called CD4+ T lymphocytes, and drastically reduces the body's ability to fight infection. In the advanced stages of AIDS, HIV causes damage to the central nervous system that results in loss of brain function, called AIDS dementia. Previous studies have shown that patients with AIDS dementia have higher than normal levels of a protein called beta2-microglobulin in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord), and it has been suggested that the severity of the dementia is related to the levels of this protein. Also, it has been shown that patients with AIDS have very low levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes in their blood. To determine the relationship between beta2-microglobulin, CD4+ cells, and the severity of AIDS, blood and CSF samples from 163 adults with HIV infection but no neurological symptoms were analyzed. The patients with the highest levels of beta2-microglobulin in their CSF and blood had the lowest numbers of CD4+ cells. The results of this study indicate that high levels of beta2-microglobulin and low numbers of CD4+ cells may be useful for predicting the onset and severity of nervous system damage in patients with AIDS. If this proves to be the case, then the effects of antiviral drugs on beta2-microglobulin levels should be investigated. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Testing, Complications and side effects, AIDS patients, AIDS (Disease), Lymphocytes, Cerebrospinal fluid

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Delayed-type hypersensitivity skin testing predicts progression to AIDS in HIV-infected patients

Article Abstract:

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin testing may predict progression to AIDS in individuals with HIV infection. Anergic individuals have a reduced response to DTH skin testing despite sensitivity to an allergen. Immune status and progression to AIDS was examined in 889 HIV-positive individuals who had different types of DTH skin testing. Ninety-four percent of the patients with more than 400 CD4+ T cells per cubic milliliter (mm3) responded to at least one test, compared with 67% of those with less than 400 CD4+ T cells per mm3. Patients who were anergic had lower levels of CD4+ T cells than those who were those who responded to at least one skin test.

Usage, Measurement, Prognosis, Delayed hypersensitivity, Skin tests

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