[Presence of autoantibodies in patients infected with HIV]

The presence of serum autoantibodies directed against single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), RNA, histones, nuclear antigen SS-A, mitochondria and cardiolipin were investigated in 30 HIV-negative drug addicts (from years 1986-87), 30 addicts actually infected with HIV and 31 AIDS patients presenting with clinical symptoms indicating autoimmune disorders. Positive results were found in 12 (40%) drug addicts from years 1986-87, 5 (16.7%) actually infected and 16 (51.6%) AIDS patients. Autoantibodies were more often detectable in patients with thrombocytopenia 8/12 (66.7%) than in remaining 8 out of 19 subjects (42.1%) who presented dermatitis, hepatitis, pancarditis, ulcerative colitis and polyneuropathy. The prevalence of autoantibodies in all investigated groups were significantly higher than in controls-1/20 (3.3%).