[Serologic response to some herpesviruses in a group of HIV infected patients]

The titres of antibodies to the herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and the antigen of viral envelope of Epstein-Barr virus were determined in serum samples from patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who belonged to groups II (n = 26) and IV (n = 32) according to the present Classification System of HIV infection, as well as in a group of blood donors (n = 52). The geometrical average titres obtained in the different agents were very high in patients having HIV infection with respect to the geometrical average titres observed in blood donors. Patients from group II had titres to the antigen of viral envelope of the Epstein-Barr virus significantly higher than blood donors. Levels of antibodies to these agents in patients from group IV were higher than levels obtained in blood donors. Differences regarding levels of the antigen of viral envelope of the Epstein-Barr virus were highly significant. These results suggest the possible relevance of the Epstein-Barr virus infection in the natural history of AIDS.