Studies of cellular immunity in male homosexuals in London.
97 symptom-free homosexuals were studied clinically, serologically, and with in-vivo and in-vitro tests of cellular immune function in the context of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A high proportion of these men showed abnormalities: lymphopenia (33%), decreased T-helper/T-suppressor (Th/Ts) cell ratios (43%), both these abnormalities (12%), decreased total T-helper cells (15%), monocyte chemotactic (10%) and phagocytic (27%) defects, anergy to three recall antigens (32%), and anergy to purified protein derivative despite BCG inoculation (55%). The lymphocyte abnormalities and anergy characteristic of AIDS were seen in 5%. No clear clinical or serological associations were seen for the AIDS-like defects. Trends of association were seen between higher lymphocyte counts, lower Th/Ts ratios, more T-suppressor cells and serological evidence of previous virus infection. The combination of lymphocyte abnormalities and anergy observed in these symptom-free homosexuals may represent a latent phase of AIDS.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008131:London; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory