Immunoglobulin E levels in relationship to HIV-1 disease, route of infection, and vitamin E status.
Our recent studies have demonstrated that in early HIV-1 infection, elevation of plasma immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels precedes the decline of CD4 cell count and is influenced by vitamin E status. In order to further investigate the role of IgE elevation in HIV-1 infection, we determined IgE levels in HIV-1-seropositive and -seronegative intravenous drug users (IDUs) (n = 38), in relationship to cellular and humoral immune function, liver enzymes, and vitamin E status. To examine the possible impact of the route of HIV-1 infection on IgE levels, comparisons between the cohorts of the HIV-1-seropositive and -seronegative IDUs and homosexual men (n = 45) were also conducted. All HIV-1-seropositive participants had significantly higher (P = 0.003) IgE levels than the HIV-1-seronegative subjects. The HIV-1-seropositive IDUs, moreover, demonstrated significantly higher (P = 0.01) IgE levels than HIV-1-seropositive homosexual men, despite similar CD4 cell counts. Stepwise regression analysis was used to evaluate the possible variables contributing to the IgE variation. HIV-1 status (P = 0.0009), intravenous drug use (P = 0.014), CD8 cell counts (P = 0.0001), plasma level of vitamin E (P = 0.006), and alcohol intake (P = 0.047) were significant, accounting for 71% of the IgE elevation. These findings suggest that IgE may serve as a sensitive marker to reflect the evolution of HIV-1 disease in individuals from different risk groups.
Miguez-Burbano
M J
MJ
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101, USA.
Shor-Posner
G
G
Fletcher
M A
MA
Lu
Y
Y
Moreno
J N
JN
Carcamo
C
C
Page
B
B
Quesada
J
J
Sauberlich
H
H
Baum
M K
MK
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity / Q000276:immunology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*
D012709:Serum Albumin; D014810:Vitamin E; D007073:Immunoglobulin E