Cross-sectional study of reverse transcriptase-inhibiting antibody as a marker of acquired immune deficiency syndrome

A cross-sectional study of 128 individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was conducted to determine the correlation of reverse transcriptase-inhibiting (RTI) antibody to clinical disease. Thirty-two individuals were studied in each of four clinical groups: asymptomatic individuals, those with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex, and those with AIDS. Our study showed that 78% of asymptomatic individuals, 53% of those with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, 50% of those with AIDS-related complex, and only 25% of those with AIDS have RTI antibody. Concurrent measurement of measles antibody level was used as an indicator of the immune status of these individuals. Measles antibody did not decline in persons with clinical disease, but asymptomatic individuals had lower antibody titers, possibly due to hypergammaglobulinemia associated with advanced HIV infection. These results indicate that more HIV-infected asymptomatic individuals than symptomatic individuals have RTI antibody. This suggests either that the RTI antibody level decreases with the progression of disease in HIV infection or that symptomatic individuals do not produce RTI antibody. The presence or absence of RTI antibody can thus be used as a marker of advanced disease.