title: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in individuals with AIDS.
abstract: Vestibular folds (VF) protect upper airways, but contain fewer immune cells in AIDS patients, which affects the structure of lymphoid follicles (LF).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize fibrosis and immunoglobulin production in vestibular fold lymphoid tissues of AIDS patients with or with no infection and malnutrition.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of 71 adult vestibular fold autopsy specimens. The morphological analysis was done using the picrosirius staining method. Immunohistochemical methods consisted of anti-IgA, anti IgG, and anti IgM antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fibrosis was less intense in AIDS patients compared to subjects without AIDS; the same applied to patients with infection or malnutrition. IgA and IgG titers were higher in AIDS patients; IgM titers were higher in cases with infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study helps understand variations in lymphoid follicle components of AIDS patients; it also shows the influence of architectural changes and the effect of associated respiratory infection and malnutrition on lymphoid follicle function.
authors: Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, MG.
authors: Janainna Grazielle Pacheco
authors: JG
authors: Olegario
authors: Renata Calciolari Rossi e
authors: RC
authors: Silva
authors: Vicente de Paula Antunes
authors: Vde P
authors: Teixeira
authors: Eumênia Costa da Cunha
authors: EC
authors: Castro
authors: Rosana Rosa Miranda
authors: RR
authors: Corrêa
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M