title: Potential role of serum BAFF as a biomarker in HIV infection.
abstract: We evaluated the potential role of serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) as a biomarker in HIV infection and analyzed the relationship between BAFF concentration and the immunophenotypic activation status of T-cells. We tested the hypothesis that higher serum BAFF concentrations are associated with risk for development of AIDS in HIV positive individuals. Forty-one HIV patients (CDC category A 17, category B 24) were evaluated retrospectively. Serum BAFF concentrations were assessed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cox regression was used to estimate the probability for development of AIDS. Patients with higher BAFF concentrations (> 2100 pg/mL) were at greater risk of developing AIDS (relative hazard 5.69; p = 0.0033). BAFF levels were independently associated with risk of AIDS after adjustment by clinical risk factors. Serum BAFF was correlated with activated T-cell subsets and with neopterin levels. BAFF is a good candidate for further evaluation as a nonspecific surrogate marker in HIV infection.
authors: From the Clinical Immunology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maranon . Madrid , Spain.
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Carbone
authors: Leticia
authors: L
authors: Calahorra
authors: Joaquin
authors: J
authors: Navarro
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Sarmiento
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: BAFF; HIV; biomarker; lymphocyte activation; risk factors