title: Reduced number of Langerhans cells in oesophageal mucosa from AIDS patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The oesophageal mucosa is a frequent target of opportunistic infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Langerhans cells (LC) are known as a target and reservoir of HIV in the skin. The aim of this study was to characterize oesophageal LC in HIV-infected patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty oesophageal biopsies were obtained from 29 patients (median age 35.5), all in stage IV of the HIV Center of Disease Control Classification. We performed histological assessment of the oesophageal mucosa and immunohistochemical detection of oesophageal LC using an anti-CD1a antibody, followed by morphometric analysis. Biopsies from 17 noninfected patients were studied using the same procedure. LC in oesophageal mucosa of the HIV positive patients showed a significantly and dramatically decreased number (LC(N) median = 5.85/mm2) and surface/epithelial surface (LC (S) ratio = 0.09) when compared with HIV-negative controls (LC(N) median = 29.7/mm2, LC(S) ratio = 1.83) with P = 0.003 for LC(N) and P < 0.0001 for LC(S).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that oesophageal LC are, like their epidermal counterparts, a preferential target for HIV infection. Their alterations may provide a clue to the pathogenesis of the decreased local oesophageal immunity and to the occurrence of opportunistic infections.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Groupe Hospitalier Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Charton-Bain
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Terris
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dauge
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marche
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bouchaud
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xerri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Potet
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002452:Cell Count; D004947:Esophagus / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018949:Antigens, CD1