Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genomic sequences and distinct changes in CD8+ lymphocytes precede detectable levels of HIV-1 antibodies in high-risk homosexuals.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified regions of the gag, LTR, and env genes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in 5 (13%) of 38 high-risk homosexual men who were negative for HIV-1 antibodies by Western blot (WB). Significant increases in CD8+ cells, particularly those bearing activation CD8+CD38+ and CD8+Ia+ antigens, and marked reductions in CD4+ cells were detected in WB-PCR+ subjects compared with 33 WB-PCR- homosexuals. WB-PCR+ subjects had impaired B cell but not T cell functions. Immunologic characteristics of WB-PCR+ homosexuals were indistinguishable from those of 17 WB+PCR+ subjects. Subjects progressing from WB-PCR- to WB-PCR+ to WB+PCR+ showed sequential phenotypic and functional alterations in their B and T cell compartments. These changes and the presence of HIV-1 genomic sequences were the first indications of HIV-1 infection and together with p24 antigenemia signified an inevitable progression to AIDS.
Yagi
M J
MJ
Department of Neoplastic Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029.
Joesten
M E
ME
Wallace
J
J
Roboz
J P
JP
Bekesi
J G
JG
D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000097:blood; D015752:Genes, env; D015750:Genes, gag; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000097:blood; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000097:blood
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015488:HIV Antigens; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D014758:Viral Core Proteins