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[Tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human immunodeficiency virus infection]
P Llobet1, R Muga, J A González
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona.
Medicina Clinica
|March 18, 1995
Summary
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and triglycerides are elevated in HIV patients with low CD4 counts. Higher TNF levels may indicate opportunistic infections in HIV patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biochemistry
Background:
- HIV infection is associated with immune dysregulation.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) is a key inflammatory cytokine.
- Understanding TNF and triglyceride (TG) levels in HIV is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine TNF-alpha levels in HIV patients.
- To investigate the relationship between TNF, TG, CD4 count, and clinical status.
- To assess TNF as a potential marker for opportunistic infections in HIV.
Main Methods:
- Studied 78 HIV-infected patients (58 males, 20 females; mean age 32).
- Analyzed TNF, TG, CD4 lymphocyte count, and clinical diagnosis.
- Statistical analysis included correlation and group comparisons.
Main Results:
- Elevated TNF and TG levels observed in HIV patients with CD4 counts below 200 cells/µL.
- Significantly higher TG levels in patients with CD4 < 200 cells/µL (p < 0.005).
- TNF levels were significantly higher in acute infection and correlated positively with TG (r = 0.34, p = 0.01).
Conclusions:
- High TNF and TG are characteristic of HIV infection with low CD4 counts.
- A positive correlation exists between TNF and TG concentrations.
- Elevated TNF, especially during infection, may serve as a marker for opportunistic infections in HIV.