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Detection of HIV-1 in human lung macrophages using the polymerase chain reaction
J R Clarke1, V Krishnan, J Bennett
1Department of Medical Microbiology, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Abstract:
We have used the polymerase chain reaction to investigate HIV-1 infection of lung macrophages from 44 AIDS patients with pneumonia. Proviral HIV-1 DNA was detected in the lung macrophages of 47% (21 of 44) of patients tested; 32% (seven of 21) of the patients had Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), and 56% (11 of 21) had pneumonia caused by other aetiological agents. Matched peripheral blood specimens were obtained from 22 patients in this study, and HIV-1-specific DNA was detected in 100% (22 out of 22) of non-adherent white cell preparations tested. HIV was detected in blood monocytes of 11 out of 22 patients (50%), and a virus signal was also found in the lung macrophages of eight of these patients. Our results indicate that PCP does not predispose lung macrophages to HIV-1, nor does HIV-1 infection of lung macrophages increase the probability of contracting PCP.
Insights
Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection was investigated in lung macrophages of AIDS patients. Findings show Pneumocystis pneumonia does not increase HIV-1 susceptibility in lung macrophages.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients often present with opportunistic infections like pneumonia.
- The role of HIV-1 infection in lung macrophages and its association with pneumonia, particularly Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) proviral DNA in lung macrophages of AIDS patients with pneumonia.
- To determine if Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) predisposes lung macrophages to HIV-1 infection.
- To assess whether HIV-1 infection of lung macrophages increases the likelihood of developing PCP.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect proviral HIV-1 DNA.
- Samples were obtained from lung macrophages of 44 AIDS patients diagnosed with pneumonia.
- Peripheral blood specimens from 22 patients were analyzed for HIV-1 DNA in non-adherent white cells and monocytes.
Main Results:
- Proviral HIV-1 DNA was detected in lung macrophages of 47% (21 of 44) of the patients.
- Among patients with HIV-1 in lung macrophages, 32% had PCP and 56% had pneumonia from other causes.
- HIV-1 DNA was present in 100% of peripheral blood white cells and 50% of blood monocytes; a viral signal was also found in lung macrophages of 8 of these patients.
Conclusions:
- Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) does not appear to predispose lung macrophages to HIV-1 infection.
- HIV-1 infection of lung macrophages does not increase the probability of contracting PCP in AIDS patients.
- The study clarifies the relationship between HIV-1, lung macrophages, and specific types of pneumonia in AIDS.