title: Circulating thymulin and thymosin-alpha 1 activity in pediatric acquired immune deficiency syndrome: in vivo and in vitro studies.
abstract: Twenty-five children with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex had a characteristic pattern of T cell deficiency. Abnormally low plasma thymulin levels preceded the development of peripheral blood T cell abnormalities. In contrast to patients with congenital T cell deficiencies, our patients had elevated serum levels of thymosin-alpha 1. Treatment with thymosin fraction 5 in three children with AIDS resulted in only transient clinical and immunologic improvement.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007223:Infant; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D000077596:Thymalfasin; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating / Q000097:blood*; D013947:Thymosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013951:Thymus Hormones / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013951:Thymus Hormones; C033782:thymosin fraction 5; D013947:Thymosin; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating; D000077596:Thymalfasin