Characteristics of lymphocyte subsets in HIV-infected, long-term nonprogressor, and healthy Asian children through 12 years of age.
BACKGROUND
There are limited data on the immune profiles of HIV-positive children compared with healthy controls, and no such data for Asian children.


OBJECTIVE
To immunophenotype HIV-positive Asian children, including long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs), compared with age-matched healthy controls.


METHODS
We used flow cytometry to analyze 13 lymphocyte and monocyte subsets from 222 untreated, HIV-positive children with 15% to 24% CD4(+) T cells and no AIDS-related illnesses and 142 healthy children (controls). Data were compared among age categories. Profiles from LTNPs (n = 50), defined as children ≥8 years old with CD4(+) T-cell counts ≥350 cells/mm(3), were compared with data from age-matched non-LTNPs (n = 17) and controls (n = 53).


RESULTS
Compared with controls, HIV-positive children had lower values (cell count per mm(3) and percent distribution) for T(H) cells and higher values for cytotoxic T cells, with reductions in populations of naive T(H) and cytotoxic T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. HIV-positive children had high values for activated T(H) and cytotoxic T cells. Compared with non-LTNPs, LTNPs had higher values of T(H) and cytotoxic T cells, naive and memory T-cell subsets, and B and NK cells. Surprisingly, counts of activated T(H) and cytotoxic T cells were also higher among LTNPs. LNTPs were more frequently male.


CONCLUSIONS
Untreated, HIV-infected Asian children have immune profiles that differ from those of controls, characterized by low values for T(H) cells, naive T cells, B cells, and NK cells but high values for cytotoxic, activated T(H), and cytotoxic T cells. The higher values for activated T cells observed in LTNPs require confirmation in longitudinal studies.
HIV Netherlands Australia Thailand Research Collaboration, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center, Bangkok, Thailand. jintanat.a@hivnat.org
Jintanat
J
Ananworanich
Tanakorn
T
Apornpong
Pope
P
Kosalaraksa
Tanyathip
T
Jaimulwong
Rawiwan
R
Hansudewechakul
Chitsanu
C
Pancharoen
Torsak
T
Bunupuradah
Mom
M
Chandara
Thanyawee
T
Puthanakit
Chaiwat
C
Ngampiyasakul
Jurai
J
Wongsawat
Suparat
S
Kanjanavanit
Wicharn
W
Luesomboon
Phennapha
P
Klangsinsirikul
Nicole
N
Ngo-Giang-Huong
Stephen J
SJ
Kerr
Sasiwimol
S
Ubolyam
Tawan
T
Mengthaisong
Rebecca S
RS
Gelman
Kovit
K
Pattanapanyasat
Vonthanak
V
Saphonn
Kiat
K
Ruxrungtham
William T
WT
Shearer
D001208:Asia; D002469:Cell Separation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology