[Immunopathologic study of the persistent lymphadenopathies related to LAV-HTLV III infection]

The authors describe the immunopathological findings in the different histopathological types. In type IA, the most important findings are disruption of the network of the intrafollicular dendritic cells, progressive atrophy of the mantle zone as shown with anti-delta antibody, the progressive diminution of the number of CD4 cells first in the germinative centres then in the extrafollicular areas, the progressive increase of CD8 cells first in the germinative centres, the presence of a severe B cells hyperplasia which is polytypic. In type II, the most important findings are the global decrease of T cells predominantly of CD4 cells. These alterations of the repartition of B and T cells is highly suggestive in type IA for LAV infection. These findings have some interest for the understanding of the physiopathology of the disease.