title: Changes in lymphocyte subsets in depressed HIV-infected patients without antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: The authors studied the effects of major depression on lymphocyte subsets by comparing depressed and matched control subjects in a population of HIV-seropositive outpatients not treated with antiretroviral therapy. Twelve patients with major depression, as determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, were assessed in comparison with 15 matched nondepressed control subjects. Flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets together with immunological parameters were performed. In HIV-infected patients, major depression was significantly (P=0.001) associated with a reduction in natural killer cell absolute count and percentage. This report suggests that depression may alter the natural killer cell population that provides a cytotoxic defense against HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, L. Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alciati
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rozzi
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Monforte
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colmegna
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Valli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mellado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D015415:Biomarkers