Candida-specific systemic cell-mediated immune reactivities in human immunodeficiency virus-positive persons with mucosal candidiasis.
Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), as opposed to vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), is a common opportunistic infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive persons that correlates with reduced CD4 T cell counts. Although cell-mediated immunity (CMI) by CD4 Th1-type cells is considered to be the predominant host defense against mucosal candidiasis, the immune factors associated with susceptibility to OPC in HIV-positive persons are not well understood. This study investigated Candida-specific systemic CMI in HIV-positive persons with OPC and/or VVC. Reductions in delayed skin test reactivity to Candida antigen were observed in HIV-positive persons with CD4 cell counts <200 cells/microL, irrespective of the presence of mucosal infection. Likewise, despite the correlate of OPC with reduced CD4 cell counts in HIV-positive persons, differences in Candida-specific peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and Th1/Th2 cytokine production between HIV-positive and HIV-negative persons were not consistent in a manner to suggest that deficiencies in Candida-specific systemic CMI account solely for the susceptibility to OPC.
Leigh
J E
JE
Department of General Dentistry, Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Barousse
M
M
Swoboda
R K
RK
Myers
T
T
Hager
S
S
Wolf
N A
NA
Cutright
J L
JL
Thompson
J
J
Sobel
J D
JD
Fidel
P L
PL
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002175:Candida / Q000276:immunology*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests; D013045:Species Specificity; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines