[Comparison of immunological profiles between pediatric and adult patients with AIDS in China].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the immunological profiles of pediatric and adult patients with AIDS in China.


METHODS
Totally 103 pediatric AIDS patients, 38 adult patients, 88 healthy children, and 72 healthy adults were enrolled. CD4 + T lymphocyte counts were determined by four-color flow cytometer and HIV-RNA levels were measured in EDTA plasma by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-16, IL-18, regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), stromal cell-derived factor-(SDF-1) alpha, SDF-1 beta, and macrophage stimulate protein (MSP) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG) and soluble Fas (sFas) were measured to indicate the activation of immune system.


RESULTS
The mean CD4 + T cell count in pediatric patients with AIDS was significantly lower than in healthy children (P < 0.01), as between the adult AIDS patients and healthy adults (P < 0.01). The mean levels of these cytokines in pediatric patients were significantly higher than in healthy children (P < 0.01). The level of MSP in adult patients was significantly lower than in healthy adults and other cytokines were significantly higher (P < 0.01). The mean levels of these cytokines, except SDF1 alpha and beta 2-MG, were significantly higher in pediatric patients than in adult patients (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormal immune activation is induced in both pediatric and adult patients with HIV-1 infection. The level of immune activation is higher in pediatric patients than in adult patients.
Wu
Nan-ping
NP
Institute of Infectious Diseases & Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases of Ministry of Health, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China. flwnp@yahoo.com.cn
Zhang
Fu-jie
FJ
Jin
Chang-zhong
CZ
Zhao
Yan
Y
Yao
Hang-ping
HP
Zhao
Hong-xin
HX
Wu
Ling-jiao
LJ
Wei
Hong-shan
HS
Li
Zai-cun
ZC
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002630:Chemotactic Factors / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000097:blood
D002630:Chemotactic Factors; D007378:Interleukins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C082332:macrophage stimulating protein; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor