Nadir B cell counts are significantly correlated with the risk of Kaposi's sarcoma.
Infection with HIV-1 is known to impair B cell function. To further elucidate the role of B cells during infection and tumorigenesis, we studied their numbers in cases of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) during the HAART era. Patients with AIDS-related KS were identified from a database of 4,480 HIV-1 positive individuals and the incidence of KS and rate ratio was stratified according to nadir number of B cells, measured as the CD19 count. In an unadjusted model, we observed that lower B cell counts were associated with a statistically significant increased risk of KS development (p < 0.001). We also observed a trend toward increased counts during KS resolution. When adjusted for nadir CD4 count in a multi-variable model, higher B cell counts were protective against KS development (p = 0.015). These data highlight a potential role for B cells and therefore the humoral immune system in KS aetiopathogenesis.
Stebbing
Justin
J
Department of Immunology, Division of Investigative Science, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom. j.stebbing@imperial.ac.uk
Gazzard
Brian
B
Newsom-Davis
Tom
T
Nelson
Mark
M
Patterson
Steve
S
Gotch
Frances
F
Mandalia
Sundhiya
S
Bower
Mark
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D006801:Humans; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*