title: Activated T cells in addition to LAV/HTLV-III infection: a necessary precondition for development of AIDS.
abstract: Urinary neopterin levels are raised with a high incidence in all risk groups for AIDS. Neopterin elevations reflect activated cellular immunity in risk group members, in some cases independently of LAV/HTLV-III infection. Moreover, we are able to show that in patients receiving multiple blood transfusions at least a transient challenge of cell-mediated immunity occurs, which is indicated in part by increasing neopterin levels. We conclude that neopterin levels are a reliable index for assessment of susceptibility for AIDS when infection with LAV/HTLV-III occurs. Activated status of cell-mediated immunity might predispose infected persons to an overwhelming infection and secondary spreading of LAV/HTLV-III, thus leading to the development of full-blown AIDS or ARC. As a consequence of these observations, T-cell-stimulatory actions and agents should intentionally be avoided. Treatment of AIDS patients with immunosuppressants should be examined. The success of therapeutic regimens should be monitored by measurement of neopterin levels.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D019798:Neopterin; D012306:Risk; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001708:Biopterins; D019798:Neopterin