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Lymphocyte phenotype does not predict immune function in pediatric patients infected with human immunodeficiency
J Petersen1, J Church, E Gomperts
1Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, Division of Research Immunology/Bone Marrow Transplantation, CA 90027.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|December 1, 1989
Summary
T lymphocyte phenotype assays did not predict immune function in children with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Immune function assessments are crucial for evaluating HIV-1-infected children.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Children with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exhibit altered immune responses.
- Assessing immune status in pediatric HIV-1 infection is critical for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of lymphocyte phenotype assays for antigen-specific immune function in pediatric HIV-1 patients.
- To determine if T lymphocyte phenotype correlates with cellular and humoral immune responses to tetanus toxoid.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of T lymphocyte phenotype with tetanus toxoid-induced T lymphocyte blastogenesis and anti-tetanus toxoid antibody levels.
- Analysis of two pediatric HIV-1-infected patient groups: hemophilia patients and others.
Main Results:
- Both functional and phenotypic assays showed decreased values in HIV-1-infected children.
- No significant association was found between T lymphocyte phenotype and antigen-specific immune function.
- Some patients with normal phenotypes lacked antigen-specific function, while others with abnormal phenotypes retained normal function.
Conclusions:
- T lymphocyte phenotype assays alone are insufficient for assessing immune status in pediatric HIV-1 infection.
- Antigen-specific immune function assays are essential complements to phenotypic analysis in evaluating HIV-1-infected children.