Rheumatoid factor expression and complement activation in children congenitally infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
Rheumatic disease manifestations and autoimmune phenomena are common in adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). On the other hand, rheumatic disease manifestations are rare in children congenitally infected with HIV. We studied the relationship between autoimmune phenomena and rheumatic diseases by examining HIV-infected children for the presence of rheumatoid factors (RFs), immune complexes, and complement activation fragments. RFs (principally IgA) were detected in 12 of the 24 HIV-infected patients (50%) and in none of the uninfected (HIV-exposed, seroreverted) controls (n = 22). Mean levels of complement activation fragments C3a and Bb were elevated in the HIV-infected children compared with the controls. A correlation was seen between the presence of IgA RF and alternative complement pathway activation as measured by plasma levels of Bb. None of the children had clinical or laboratory evidence of rheumatic disease.
Jarvis
J N
JN
Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit 48201.
Taylor
H
H
Iobidze
M
M
Dejonge
J
J
Chang
S
S
Cohen
F
F
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000032:analysis; D015933:Complement C3d / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D011415:Complement Factor B / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000151:congenital*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000737:chemistry; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000737:chemistry; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000737:chemistry; D007223:Infant; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015926:Complement C3a; D015933:Complement C3d; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor; D011415:Complement Factor B