Thiamin deficiency in HIV-positive patients: evaluation by erythrocyte transketolase activity and thiamin pyrophosphate effect.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine the thiamin status in HIV-positive patients.


METHODS
Measurement of erythrocyte transketolase activity (ETK) and thiaminpyrophosphate (TPP) effect in 55 consecutive HIV-positive patients of a specialized outpatient clinic were grouped into five groups according to their CD4 counts. Comparison of results of HIV-positive patients with age-matched control group of 22 healthy subjects.


RESULTS
Of the patients, 27% had a pathologically-increased TPP effect, 18% of the patients had pathologically-low ETK. The percentage of pathological values of TPP effect in the patients was significantly higher compared with the control group. There was no statistically significant correlation between pathological thiamin status and stage of the disease, zidovudine therapy or nutritional status of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Thiamin deficiency in HIV-positive patients was found in a higher percentage than previously reported. Thiamine deficiency is not only present in advanced stages of HIV-infection, but also in clinically asymptomatic patients.
Müri
R M
RM
Departments of Neurology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Von Overbeck
J
J
Furrer
J
J
Ballmer
P E
PE
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D013832:Thiamine Deficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013835:Thiamine Pyrophosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D014174:Transketolase / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015215:Zidovudine; D014174:Transketolase; D013835:Thiamine Pyrophosphate