title: Immunologic studies of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome: relationship of immunodeficiency to extent of disease.
abstract: Immunologic and conventional laboratory studies were done in 135 previously untreated subjects including 28 (20.7%) symptom-free homosexuals and 74 (54.8%) with ARC and 33 (24.5%) with AIDS. More than half of all patients had abnormal percentages of lymphocytes, percentages of T3+ cells, percentage and absolute number of T4+ cells, percentage of T8+ cells, T4/T8 ratio, monocyte adherence, and serum thymosin alpha 1. Most immune variables worsened with progressive disease. Low lymphocyte 5'nucleotidase increased suppressor cell activity, and impaired IL-2 and alpha interferon production and response suggest diminished mature and increased immature peripheral blood and tissue T cells. These findings suggest approaches to staging, prognostication, and treatment for AIDS.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D009699:N-Glycosyl Hydrolases / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2; D009699:N-Glycosyl Hydrolases; C030681:purine nucleosidase