Human T-Lymphotropic Retrovirus Type III / Lymphadenopathy-Associated Virus Antibody

Abstract

We studied the human T-lymphotropic retrovirus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV) antibody status of 234 factor VIII concentrate recipients, 36 factor IX concentrate recipients, 69 long-term recipients of frozen packed red blood cells, and 47 persons not receiving routine transfusion therapy. Factor VIII concentrate recipients had a significantly higher rate of seropositivity (74%) than any other group. Factor IX concentrate recipients had a significantly higher rate (39%) than recipients of frozen packed red blood cells (4%) or nontransfused persons (4%). In factor VIII concentrate recipients, HTLV-III/LAV seropositivity was significantly associated with more severe hemophilia, greater factor dosage, elevated immunoglobulin and immune complex levels, lower T-helper lymphocyte numbers, and lower ratios of T-helper to T-suppressor lymphocytes. For factor IX concentrate recipients, seropositivity was associated with more severe hemophilia. Antibody-positive factor IX concentrate recipients had a lower rate of seropositivity to HTLV-III/LAV p41 membrane antigen than did antibody-positive factor VIII concentrate recipients, but factor VIII and factor IX concentrate recipients had similar rates of seropositivity to core antigens. We conclude that both factor VIII and factor IX concentrates may transmit HTLV-III/LAV. For factor VIII recipients, HTLV-III/LAV seropositivity is associated with altered immune test results.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection in Haemophiliacs in Taiwan: the importance of CD4 lymphocyte count in the progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

“…The seroprevalence of HIV antibody in our haemophilia A patients, 17±24% (Table 1), was substantially lower than the 60±90% rate reported in the mid-1980s in Europe and the United States [19,20] but close to that reported in Japan [21,22]. It is possible that the more factor concentrates imported from the USA a haemophilia patient received, the greater chance the patient would have of developing antibodies to HIV [23].…”

“…In this regard the relative lack of funds to make such factor concentrate available to our Haemophilia patients in the past might have been a stroke of luck. The seroprevalence rate of HIV antibody in Haemophilia B in the US had been reported to be between 0% and 39% [ 19, 20]. This was probably due to a greater viral inactivation during the fractionation process of factor concentrate.…”

Factor VIII, HIV and AIDS in haemophiliacs: An analysis of their relationship

“…'Serological reactions with any combination of 18 kd, 25 kd and 41 kd proteins of LAV were scored as positive' (Jason et al, 1985); 2. 'A positive Western blot test was defined as the presence of at least one band characteristic of antibody against an envelope protein (gp41, gp 120, or gpl60) and at least one other HIV-1 characteristic band' (Jackson et al, 1988); 3.…”

Intrasplenic lymphoma resembling multiple hematomas in a hemophiliac

“…With conservative management, these clinical problems resolved, and [4]. The probability of exposure is related to the amount of non-heat-treated lyophilized concentrate given during the period 1981 and 1985 [5]. Severe hemophiliacs are more likely than mild or moderate hemophilics to have been exposed, and exposure in hemophilia A exceeds that of hemophilia B for any given degree of severity [6].…”