Influence of human immunodeficiency virus infection on cell-mediated immunity in chronic D hepatitis.
To determine whether the abnormalities of cell-mediated immunity described in chronic D hepatitis are associated with hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection or concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, serologic and tissue hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HDV markers and T lymphocyte subsets were studied in serum samples from 38 patients with chronic D hepatitis, 26 of whom had HIV infection. Patients with chronic D hepatitis and HIV infection had significantly lower peripheral blood T4:T8 ratios resulting from a significant increase in T8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) cells, while numbers of T lymphocyte subsets were normal in cases with chronic D hepatitis only. HIV+ patients showed an increase in HBV replication (identified by hepatitis B core antigen in liver and hepatitis B e antigen and HBV DNA in serum) and in HDV replication (tissue D antigen and HDV RNA) without evidence of more active liver disease. Probably the immunologic disturbances detected in chronic D hepatitis are secondary to HIV infection, do not contribute to the pathogenesis of liver injury, and are associated with increased viral B and D replication.
Buti
M
M
Liver Unit, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Esteban
R
R
Español
M T
MT
Malagelada
A
A
Jardi
R
R
Rodriguez-Frias
F
F
Roget
M
M
Guardia
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral