[Antiphospholipid antibodies in human immunodeficiency virus infection].
BACKGROUND
The frequency, clinical significance and prognosis of the lupic anticoagulant and the anticardiolipin antibodies were analyzed in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus infection.


METHODS
A group of 34 consecutive patients seropositive to HIV with lupic anticoagulant was studied in relation with 75 seropositive subjects without circulating anticoagulant and a control group of plasma of 23 seronegative individuals. The lengthening of thromboplastin time (relation > 1.3) was used as a screening test. The anticardiolipin antibodies IgG were studied by commercial enzymoimmunoassay.


RESULTS
Lupic anticoagulant was detected in 21% of the patients with AIDS and in 3% of the seropositive patients without AIDS. The anticoagulant was found in 13 of 53 cases with tuberculosis, in 8 of 57 with pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii, in 4 of 32 with bacteremia and in 3 out of 8 with lymphoma. In another six patients other minor processes and/or HIV seropositivity were coexistent. Thrombosis was not seen in any case, and the rate of thrombocytopenia (18%) was that to be expected in this population. The patients with anticoagulant had a greater prevalence to developing AIDS, opportunistic infections and tuberculosis with respect to the seropositive group without anticoagulant, however, no differences were observed in the prevalence and levels of anticardiolipin antibodies and other nonspecific autoimmune phenomena. Periodic follow up of the patients with anticoagulant demonstrated persistence of the anticoagulant in 31% and reappearance of the same in 23% with new infections.


CONCLUSIONS
No correlation was found between the different antiphospholipid antibodies in the patient infected by the human immunodeficiency virus. Low titers of anticardiolipin antibodies are indicative of disease progression.
Llorente
M R
MR
Servicio de Hematología, Hospitales de Cabueñes, Gijón.
Carton
J A
JA
Cárcaba
V
V
Rodríguez-Pinto
C
C
Maradona
J A
JA
Asensi
V
V
Fernández-Urgellés
M
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
Anticuerpos antifosfolípido en la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.