Dysregulation of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte--Candida spp. interaction in HIV-positive patients.
OBJECTIVE
In HIV-infected patients there is an increased frequency of fungal infections. Dysregulation of the response of phagocytic cells to fungal pathogens may be involved.


METHODS
Phagocytosis of Candida spp., consecutive intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, and candicidal activity were analysed in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML) from HIV-1-infected patients, who were at stage C3 of the 1993 revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classification system, by means of flow cytometry.


METHODS
Phagocytic ability was assessed by measuring uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled Candida albicans, C. krusei and C. glabrata. Reactive oxygen intermediate production was estimated by the quantity of dihydrorhodamine-123 converted to rhodamine-123 intracellularly. The candicidal effect was assessed by the propidium iodide uptake of killed yeast cells.


RESULTS
As compared to PML of healthy, HIV-negative controls, PML of AIDS patients exhibited an increased phagocytic activity and a similar ability to generate reactive oxygen products. In contrast, PML of AIDS patients displayed a decreased candicidal activity (P < 0.05 compared to controls).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that in patients with advanced HIV-1 infection the impairment of non-oxidative killing mechanisms of phagocytic cells may contribute to the high incidence of fungal infections.
Wenisch
C
C
Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Vienna, Austria.
Parschalk
B
B
Zedwitz-Liebenstein
K
K
Graninger
W
W
Rieger
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002175:Candida; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018375:Neutrophil Activation; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000382:microbiology*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species