Immunological parameters during treatment with ditiocarb (Imuthiol).
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of ditiocarb (DTC) treatment on immunological parameters of HIV infection. Immunophenotyping included CD4+ T-cell counting and the analysis of activation markers on CD8+ T cells. Anti-CD3-induced proliferation and anti-CD3-mediated cytotoxicity were monitored as indexes of T-cell function. In addition to the clinical evolution, HIV antigen and anti-p24 levels were monitored during treatment.


METHODS
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 50 HIV-seropositive patients belonging to all clinical disease stages were randomized to treatment with DTC or placebo and followed for 4 months.


METHODS
Immunophenotyping on whole blood was performed by flow cytometry, using combinations of anti-CD8 with anti-CD4, anti-HLA-DR, anti-CD38, anti-CD45RO and anti-CD57. Patient lymphocytes were freshly assayed for cytolytic capacity against OKT3-coated targets. T-cell proliferation was measured after 3 days of OKT3-stimulation.


RESULTS
No effect was observed on CD4 and CD8+ T-cell counts or on CD8+ T-cell activation markers, except for a selective increase in HLA-DR expressing CD8 cells in the DTC-treated group. Decline in anti-CD3-induced T-cell proliferation and rise in anti-CD3-mediated T-cell cytotoxicity were observed in the DTC and placebo groups. No effect on HIV antigen and anti-p24 antibody titres was observed. The incidence of clinical complications was similar in each group.


CONCLUSIONS
No beneficial immunomodulatory effect of DTC was demonstrated.
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
G L
GL
Vanham
L
L
Kestens
J
J
Van Hoof
G
G
Penne
R
R
Colebunders
C
C
Goilav
M
M
Vandenbruaene
R
R
el Habib
P
P
Gigase
D000328:Adult; D017252:CD3 Complex; D004050:Ditiocarb / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D017252:CD3 Complex; D004050:Ditiocarb