[Changes in the immunocompetent cell system of the peripheral blood in HIV carriage]

HIV-carriage is characterized by hematological signs such as normocytosis of the general leucocyte count and deviations within normal range of values for myeloid series cells (neutrophiles, eosinophiles, basophiles). A peculiar hematological sign seen in HIV-infection is a finding of a raised content of cellular elements of mononuclear type on a hemogramme of peripheral blood and consistent decrease in the level of small T-lymphocytes against the background of substantial growth of suppressor-killer populations (large lymphocytes and lymphocyte-like mononuclears) as evidenced by a mononucleorogramme of peripheral blood, which fact provide a mechanism of antiviral protection at early stages of HIV-infection. Such changes in hemogrammes of peripheral blood, consistently found in all virus carriers, may be used in clinical settings as an early diagnostic sign of HIV-infection.