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Anti-cardiolipin antibodies and HIV infection
C Maclean1, P J Flegg, D C Kilpatrick
1Blood Transfusion Centre, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Anti-cardiolipin antibodies of IgG class were found in 48% of intravenous drug users, 38% of homosexuals and 14% of heterosexuals (with no other risk factor) infected with HIV. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies were not increased in HIV-negative heterosexual partners of HIV-infected patients, but mildly elevated levels were detected in HIV-negative drug users, relative to healthy controls unselected for HIV status. Among HIV infected drug users, anti-cardiolipin antibodies were not associated with thrombocytopenia, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, disease progression or clinical stage. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies appear to be another non-specific marker of HIV infection which may be particularly common in male intravenous drug users infected with the virus.
Anti-cardiolipin antibodies of IgG class were found in 48% of intravenous drug users, 38% of homosexuals and 14% of heterosexuals (with no other risk factor) infected with HIV. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies were not increased in HIV-negative heterosexual partners of HIV-infected patients, but mildly elevated levels were detected in HIV-negative drug users, relative to healthy controls unselected for HIV status. Among HIV infected drug users, anti-cardiolipin antibodies were not associated with thrombocytopenia, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, disease progression or clinical stage. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies appear to be another non-specific marker of HIV infection which may be particularly common in male intravenous drug users infected with the virus.