title: The relationship between T-cell levels and CMV infection in asymptomatic HIV-1 antibody-positive homosexual men.
abstract: To investigate the relationship between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and progression of HIV-1 disease, a group of 234 asymptomatic, HIV-1 antibody-positive homosexual men were examined for CMV isolation and levels of CMV IgM antibodies, CMV IgG antibodies, and CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. CMV IgG antibodies were present in 100% and CMV IgM antibodies in 22% of the men. CMV was isolated from the semen of 45% of the men. No relationship was observed between CMV IgM antibodies and CMV in semen or CD4+ levels. CD4+ cell levels were significantly lower in those from whose semen CMV was isolated. In addition, an inverse relationship was observed between the concentration of CMV in semen and CD4+ levels. We postulate that the seminal tract may be a reservoir for systemic CMV infection in HIV-infected homosexual men. Reinfection from this or other sources may result in recurrent stimulation of HIV-1 replication and lead to a further decline in CD4+ cells. Clarification of whether persistent CMV infection is secondary to HIV-1-induced immunodeficiency or, conversely, promotes a more rapid decline in immunocompetency will require follow-up studies.
authors.affiliation: UCLA School of Public Health.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Cherry
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: English
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hennessey
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Visscher
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dudley
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Detels
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D007075:Immunoglobulin M