[Immunological changes in the child infected by vertical HIV transmission]

The vertical transmission of HIV infection depends on factors in the mother and child, as well as characteristics of the virus itself. The body defends itself through the immune response. Today it is known that the presence of the CD4 molecule on the cells does not suffice for them to be able to be infected, being necessary the presence of co-receptors such as CCR5 and CXCR4. The immunological disorders that most frequently appear in infected children are hypergammaglobulinemia and reduction in the CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ ratio. In vitro production of immunoglobulins is increased and the proliferative response to mitogens and antigens is reduced. Also, the production of cytokines like IL-2 and IFN(is lower than in controls as a consequence of the reduction in memory CD4+ T cells in these children. The presence of a mutation in the CCR5 gene in some of them seems to contribute to the evolution of the disease because heterozygotes for this gene have less risk of developing severe immunodeficiency and a slower disease progression.