Abnormalities of lymphocyte subsets and anti-LAV/HTLV-III status in Greek hemophiliacs.
Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and the incidence of LAV/HTLV-III antibodies were studied in 63 patients with hemophilia A who had been transfused with a low dose regimen of commercial (U.S.A.) factor VIII concentrates. Five patients with hemophilia B were also included in this study. In hemophilia A patients a significant reduction in the percentage and absolute numbers of T4+ cells and of the T4/T8 ratio and a significant increase in the percentage of T8+ and Leu-7+ cells were observed. These abnormalities were independent of the presence of anti-LAV/HTLV-III. In hemophilia B patients a significant increase of T8+ cells and a decrease of T4/T8 ratio was noted while the percentage of Leu-7+ cells was normal. A significant negative correlation of F VIII units transfused and T4/T8 ratio was seen only in LAV/HTLV (-) patients, suggesting that F VIII per se could cause immunodysregulation. Seropositive patients were found to have consumed a larger amount of F VIII units than seronegative patients during the period 1980-1984 (p less than 0.005).
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D005169:Factor VIII