[The immunological phenotyping of the lymphocytes in HIV+ patients].
We propose that the ratios of lymphocyte subsets: CD4+/CD8+, CD4+/CD3+, and CD8+/CD3+, graphically displayed in this order, could be an easy way of immunophenotyping and a simple form of interpretation both for clinicians and patients. A total of 187 asymptomatic HIV-positive patients, -including 83 symptomatic patients with AIDS- and a normal comparative age group of 36 patients, were studied by flow cytometry. Ratios were graphically displayed on millimetric-grid paper, and a specific point was given to each obtained ratio. The points were connected by a line. The angles formed by the lines were measured and graphically displayed over a circle. The point of reference 0 degree was located on the left side of the circle, giving the corresponding 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 240 degrees angles. The graph of the control group shows a "beach chair" image. As soon as the CD4+ lymphocytes diminish and the CD8+ lymphocytes increase in HIV+ patients, "the chair's headrest" descends and the "chair's footpiece" swivels back. Given the ranks and fluctuations of the lymphocyte subsets, their graphic display provides a better representation of the immunological status.
Alvarado-Alemán
F J
FJ
Departamento de Inmunoquímica, Instituto Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos (INDRE), Secretaría de Salud, México.
Kumate-Rodríguez
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged