Differences in laboratory values in HIV infection by sex, race, and risk group.
OBJECTIVE
To determine differences in CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte values, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M), and HIV p24 antigenemia by sex and race among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative injecting drug users (IDU), and to compare these values with those in homosexual men of equivalent status.


METHODS
Baseline values from a cohort of 206 HIV-seropositive and 173 HIV-seronegative IDU were compared with values from a cohort of 288 HIV-seropositive homosexual men and 176 HIV-seronegative controls, who were prospectively followed at 6-month intervals, to examine differences in laboratory values in HIV-infected individuals by sex, race, and risk group.


METHODS
Among HIV-seropositives, we compared white and black IDU only (n = 167), and white male IDU (n = 38) with white homosexual men (n = 256). Laboratory values from the cohort of homosexual men at 24, 36 and 48 months of follow-up were compared with IDU values.


RESULTS
HIV-infected female IDU had significantly higher CD4+ lymphocyte counts (P < 0.03) and percentages of CD4+ lymphocytes (P < 0.004) than male IDU, resulting in higher CD4:CD8 ratios (P < 0.002). White IDU had significantly higher serum beta 2M levels than black IDU (P < 0.02). Black female IDU were much less likely to be HIV p24-antigenemic (1%) than all other groups (P < 0.005). Compared with homosexual men, male IDU had significantly elevated beta 2M levels (0.58 mg/l higher). When controlled for CD4+ lymphocyte values as a surrogate for length of time HIV-infected, beta 2M and HIV p24 antigenemia differences persisted.


CONCLUSIONS
These differences should be considered when HIV p24 antigen, CD4+ lymphocyte counts and beta 2M levels are used as surrogate markers in clinical trials and management of HIV disease.
Department of Medicine, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Germany.
R W
RW
Gorter
K M
KM
Vranizan
D H
DH
Osmond
A R
AR
Moss
D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D005260:Female; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets; D044465:White People; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism; D001741:Black or African American
D016827:CD8 Antigens; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin