Helper T-cell responses in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.
Helper T-cell function was evaluated in 34 children infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1, by assessing interleukin-2 production after stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with recall antigens (influenza virus, tetanus toxoid), allogeneic HLA, and phytohemagglutinin. In addition, helper T-cell function was correlated retrospectively with the incidence of opportunistic and bacterial infections. Four patterns of helper T-cell function were observed: (1) 7 (21%) of the 34 children responded to all stimuli, (2) 7 (21%) of them responded to alloantigens and phytohemagglutinin but not to recall antigens, (3) 7 (21%) responded to phytohemagglutinin but not to recall antigens or alloantigens, and (4) 13 (37%) did not respond to any of these stimuli. There were no significant differences related to different routes of acquisition among patients. Patients with functional helper T-cell defects had a history of more opportunistic (p = 0.03) and bacterial (p less than 0.001) infections than did patients with intact helper T-cell function. Thus distinct patterns of helper T-cell dysfunction exist in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and correlate with higher frequency of infections. Comparisons of in vitro helper T-cell responses to these stimuli may be useful for detecting early functional helper T-cell defects and for monitoring progression of disease.
Roilides
E
E
Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Clerici
M
M
DePalma
L
L
Rubin
M
M
Pizzo
P A
PA
Shearer
G M
GM
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2