Association between anti-CD4 antibodies and a decline in CD4+ lymphocytes in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 seroconverters.
Serum specimens (n = 161) from 31 persons before and after human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) seroconversion were tested for anti-CD4 antibodies. These antibodies were detected by both ELISA and Western blot in 55% (17/31) of subjects when HIV-1 seroconversion was detected and in 26% (8/31) from sera obtained 6-24 months earlier. A decrease in CD4+ cell number was associated more with development of anti-CD4 antibodies or peak anti-CD4 antibody activity than with development of anti-HIV-1 antibodies. Quantitative DNA polymerase chain reaction assay of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 7 seroconverters showed evidence of HIV-1 infection in 4 of 4 specimens obtained after HIV-1 seroconversion but was nonreactive for 12 of 12 specimens obtained before HIV-1 seroconversion, including 4 specimens positive for anti-CD4 antibodies by ELISA and Western blot. Therefore, anti-CD4 antibodies are frequently present in the sera of HIV-1-infected persons before and at the time HIV-1 seroconversion is detectable and are associated with a decline in CD4+ cell counts, but they are not a marker for HIV-1 infection in seronegative persons.
Keay
S
S
University of Maryland School of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD.
Wecksler
W
W
Wasserman
S S
SS
Margolick
J
J
Farzadegan
H
H
D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D018023:HIV Seronegativity / Q000276:immunology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors
D000906:Antibodies; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D004279:DNA, Viral