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Comparative study on some systemic humoral and cellular immune markers in only HIV or HIV and hepatitis B infected
C Voiculescu1, M Bălăşoiu, A Turculeanu
1Faculty of Medicine Craiova, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Romania.
Insights
Children with dual HIV/hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections show more severe immune dysfunction than those with only HIV. Progression to AIDS-related complex (ARC) involves decreased HIV antibodies and increased p24 antigen, particularly in co-infected children.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Investigating immune parameters in children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) co-infection.
- Understanding the impact of co-infection on systemic immunity and disease progression.
- Assessing immune markers associated with the shift towards AIDS-related complex (ARC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare immune system parameters in asymptomatic children with single HIV infection versus HIV/HBV co-infection.
- To evaluate changes in HIV-specific antibodies and p24 antigen levels during progression to ARC in both infected groups.
- To explore the diagnostic and predictive value of immune markers in pediatric HIV and HIV/HBV infections.
Main Methods:
- Studied immunoglobulin levels, lymphocyte subsets (CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19), T-cell responsiveness (PHA-blast, NK cell activity), and T-suppressor cell function in three groups of children (controls, HIV, HIV/HBV).
- Analyzed serial serum samples from 15 children (HIV and HIV/HBV) showing ARC progression for total and anti-p24 HIV antibodies, Western Blot (WB) patterns, and free p24-HIV antigen.
- Utilized cytotoxicity assays and blastogenesis assays for immune function assessments.
Main Results:
- Asymptomatic children with HIV/HBV co-infection exhibited more significant immune disorders compared to those with HIV infection alone.
- Progression to ARC in both groups was associated with decreased anti-p24 HIV antibodies, loss of WB bands, and detectable free p24 antigen.
- HIV/HBV co-infected children showed higher levels of p24 antigen during ARC progression than children with HIV infection only.
Conclusions:
- HIV/HBV co-infection exacerbates immune dysfunction in children compared to single HIV infection.
- Changes in anti-p24 HIV antibodies and p24 antigen levels are critical indicators of disease progression towards ARC.
- Elevated p24 antigen levels in co-infected children suggest a more aggressive disease course and highlight the importance of monitoring.
Abstract:
Three different groups of asymptomatic children, aged from 12 to 24 months (30 subjects per each group), i.e. controls, only HIV, or HIV/hepatitis B virus (HBV) double infected, were studied, as concerned the following systemic immune parameters: immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD) levels; absolute numbers of blood CD+4, CD+8, CD+16 and CD+19 cells; phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-blast responsiveness of T lymphocytes; natural killer (NK) cell activity--as tested by means of cytotoxicity assays; per cent suppression of PHA-dependent T cell blastogenesis in the presence of concanavalin A (Con A) selected T suppressor (Ts) cells. On the other hand, in 15 ARC-shifting cases belonging to HIV, and HIV/HBV groups, respectively, a second serum sample was collected and searched comparatively with the corresponding first serum sample, as regarded: presence of total and anti-p24 HIV antibodies, patterns of Western Blot (WB), as well as amounts of free p24-HIV antigen. In asymptomatic double HIV/HBV infected subjects, some immune disorders occurred, at a more significant degree, as compared to only HIV-infected. Once the shift toward ARC being installed, in both infected groups a decrease of anti-p24 HIV antibody presence, disappearance of corresponding band in WB confirmation test, as well as presence of free p24 antigen in serum, were noticed. However, greater amounts of p24 antigen in HIV/HBV infected, as compared to only HIV infected patients, were found. Some considerations about diagnostic and predictive value of presented data are discussed.