[Course and prognosis of levels of CD4 molecules in HIV-infected patients].
OBJECTIVE
To measure CD4 molecule concentration on lymphocyte surface. And observe its evolution during one year, in HIV infected patients. To assess the importance of this measure as a prognostic marker for disease progression, compared with the total number of CD4 lymphocytes.


METHODS
Clinical and analytical data from 107 patients were collected; 64 fulfilled a one-year follow-up. 45 were initially asymptomatic (ASN), 13 had AIDS-related complex (CRS) and 6 had AIDS. CD4 cell count was higher than 500 in 16, between 500 and 200 in 20, and lower than 200 in 28. CD4 molecule concentration in lymphocytes was measured with immunoassay capcellia CD4/CD8 (Pasteur Institute, Paris). During one year 12 patients progressed cunically.


RESULTS
There was significant decrease of T4 lymphocytes in the following groups whole population, CRS, more than 500 (initially). There were significant decreases of CD4 molecules in the following groups: whole population, ASN, CRS, more than 500 (initially), between 500 and 200 (initially), the mean number of T4 lymphocytes was 140/mm3 in progressors versus 358 in non-progressors (p < 0.05). Initial CD4 molecule concentration was 3.87 pmol/l in progressors versus 11.50 pmol/l in non-progressors (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Both total number of T4 lymphocytes and CD4 molecule concentration decrease with time. However, in asymptomatic patients only CD4 molecule decrease reaches statistical signification. Both T4 lymphocyte number and CD4 molecule concentration were lower in progressors. Measurement of CD4 molecule concentration is a parameter of similar value with respect to T4 lymphocyte count, and with similar value as progression marker.
Pinilla Moraza
J
J
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Complejo Hospitalario San Millán-San Pedro, Logroño, La Rioja.
Antón Botella
F
F
Labarga Echeverría
P
P
Sadaba Delgado
C
C
Gimeno Villar
C
C
Múgica Vargas
M
M
D000328:Adult; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
D015704:CD4 Antigens