Autoimmune phenomena in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

We have studied sera from 44 children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome using immunoblotting, radioimmunoassay, enzymoimmunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence. We have detected a low incidence of antinuclear (2.9%), anti-reticulin (2.9%) and anti-smooth muscle (14.7%) antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence. By enzymoimmunoassay we have detected anti-dsDNA (20.5%) and anti-ENA [anti-nRNP (61.3%), anti-Sm (29.5%), anti-Ro (47.7%) and anti-La (18.1%)] antibodies. Tests for anti-dsDNA by radioimmunoassay were negative, suggesting the presence of low-avidity anti-DNA antibodies. By immunoblotting we have detected anti-C (nRNP) (33.3%), anti-BB' (Sm) (33.3%), anti-Ro (60 KD) (4.5%) and anti-La (11.3%) antibodies. The presence of anti-Ro antibodies was associated with progressive neurological disease. Long-term follow-up studies with larger numbers of patients are necessary to evaluate the clinical significance of the presence of anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA antibodies in children infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus.