title: Tuftsin deficiency in AIDS.
abstract: Tuftsin is an endogenous tetrapeptide that stimulates phagocytosis and is released from the Fc fragment of IgG by a splenic endocarboxypeptidase. Tuftsin activity and splenic function were measured in 21 patients with AIDS, 7 patients with AIDS-related complex (ARC), 22 patients who had undergone splenectomy, and 37 healthy volunteers. There was a significant inverse correlation between tuftsin activity and splenic function in all subjects. Tuftsin activity was significantly lower in patients with AIDS, ARC, and in those who had undergone splenectomy compared with healthy volunteers. Tuftsin deficiency may contribute to the risk of bacterial infection in symptomatic HIV-positive individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Corazza
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zoli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ginaldi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cancellieri
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Profeta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gasbarrini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Quaglino
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013154:Spleen / Q000503:physiopathology; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D014405:Tuftsin / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D014405:Tuftsin