Clinical immunology and HIV infection

Article Abstract:

Clinical immunology is a well-established field in Australia and has been an integral part of the country's efforts to study and treat HIV infection. Early Australian studies demonstrated the value of determining CD4 T cell counts and the ratio of CD4 T cells to CD8 T cells in monitoring HIV infection. Other Australian studies on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) have demonstrated that HIV infection involves more than the depletion of CD4 T cells. Measuring DTH levels can be used to monitor the effectiveness of zidovudine therapy, and maintaining DTH responses appears to ward off opportunistic infections. The Australian John Armstrong was the first to show that follicular dendritic cells of the lymph node are the main cells to be affected early in HIV infection. Current efforts to map the genes involved in the progression of HIV disease may play an important role in the development of immune-based therapies for HIV infection.

Australia, Practice, Immunologists

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Immune modulation in HIV infection: fact or fantasy?

Article Abstract:

Research on immune modulation in HIV infection suggests antiviral drugs that prevent immunosuppression may be more effective than immunopotentiators that act to stimulate the immune system. Successful immune modulation requires both a thorough understanding of normal immune function and of the immunodeficiencies occurring in HIV infection. While over 50 possible immune modulating agents have been studied, only colony-stimulating factors (CSF) have proved useful in treating HIV patients. CSFs are a type of cytokine that seem to lessen neutropenia in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex. Another immunostimulant, Tacrine, is being studied for its ability to increase levels of CD4 T cells, which are depleted in HIV infection. Ironically, Trental, a drug that suppresses some aspects of the immune system, may enhance the quality of life and promote survival in HIV patients.

Evaluation, Cytokines, Immune response, Immunotherapy, Immune response regulation

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