Immunoglobulin and complement complexes in blood following infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Freely soluble and complexed plasma immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, IgM, C1q, C3, and factor B in 36 human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1)-seronegative controls, 69 asymptomatic HIV+ subjects, and 117 individuals with symptomatic HIV-associated disease were characterized. Levels of free and complexed IgG and IgA, and to a lesser extent free C1q and complexed IgM, increased with HIV-1 infection. In stark contrast, both HIV+ groups showed three- to sixfold declines in complexed C3, C1q, and factor B levels. The asymptomatic HIV+ population showed declines in levels of C3-bound IgA, IgG2, and IgG4 complexes. The asymptomatic group showed reductions in C3-complexed IgM, IgA, IgG2, and IgG4 levels. HIV infection is associated with complement-deficient immune complexes.