The Spectrum of Immunologic Abnormalities and Clinical Findings in Homosexually Active Men

Abstract

Clinical and laboratory evaluations of 181 men were performed; the population studied included 131 homosexual or bisexual men (who were stratified into one of three groups on the basis of symptomatology and abnormal findings on physical examination), 39 heterosexual men (who served as controls), and 11 men with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The presence of specific symptoms and/or lymphadenopathy in homosexual men was associated with perturbation of immunoregulation. A large percentage of asymptomatic, homosexually active men had abnormalities in lymphocyte numbers, subpopulations, and subclasses. Symptomatic individuals had clinical findings, immunologic alterations, and abnormalities of hematopoiesis similar to those found in patients with AIDS. These data suggest that clinical evaluation in conjunction with laboratory studies may serve to identify individuals at increased risk of developing AIDS.

Serum lgE Levels in Korean Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

“…This is probably due to activation of B cells by virus products, such as HIV gp41 envelope protein. In previous studies, increased serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM have been seen in patients infected with HIV 2 – 3 , 16 – 18 ) . Fling et al 19 ) reported that though serum IgG levels were elevated even during the early stages of infection, serum IgA levels did not significantly increase until late in the course of the disease, thus suggesting that the serum IgA level in HIV infected patients might be useful as a marker of immunologic progression of disease.…”

“…HIV infected patients manifest an abnormal activation of B cells resulting in spontaneous proliferation and immunoglobulin secretion 2 – 4 , 16 – 18 ) . This is probably due to activation of B cells by virus products, such as HIV gp41 envelope protein.…”

“…Despite immune depletion, the progression of HIV infection is accompanied by the stimulation of antibody synthesis. Early on increased levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been reported 2 , 3 ) . Lane et al 4 ) demonstrated marked abnormalities of B cell activation, including an inability to develop a proliferative response to the pure B cell Staphylococcus aureus Cowen strain and an increase in the number of B cells spontaneously secreting immunoglobulin.…”