HTLV-I and HTLV-II virus expression increase with HIV-1 coinfection.
Coinfections with HIV-1 and HTLV-I or HTLV-II have been associated with unique immunophenotypes and an increased risk for development of neurodegenerative conditions. These findings may result from an increased HTLV-I or II viral burden in dually infected individuals. To investigate this possibility, HTLV-I/II tax/rex messenger RNA and viral antigen expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured in 37 HTLV-I- or HTLV-II-infected subjects with or without HIV-1 coinfection. Tax/rex messenger RNA was detected in 14 of 24 PBMC samples from dually infected subjects, compared with only 1 of 13 PBMC samples from singly infected subjects (58% versus 7%; p < .003). The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay correlated with HTLV-I/II viral antigen detection in PBMC cultures but not with HIV-1 viral load levels in plasma. These findings may provide clues regarding the pathophysiologic consequences of HIV/HTLV-I and HIV/HTLV-II coinfections.
Beilke
M A
MA
Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Tulane/Louisiana State University/Charity General Clinical Research Center, New Orleans 70118, USA. mabeilke@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
Japa
S
S
Vinson
D G
DG
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D016355:Genes, pX / Q000235:genetics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015497:HIV-1; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D019562:Viral Load
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral