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Specific western blot bands are associated with initial CD4+ lymphocyte counts in human immunodeficiency virus
F C Garland1, C F Garland, E D Gorham
1Health Sciences and Epidemiology Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92186-5122.
Insights
Antibody responses to specific HIV Western blot bands correlate with initial CD4+ counts. Stronger reactivity to core antigens like p24 suggests higher CD4+ counts, while reactivity to gp41 indicates lower counts.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The Western blot is a key diagnostic tool for HIV seropositivity.
- Antibody responses to HIV antigens may impact disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Western blot antibody reactivity and initial CD4+ counts in HIV-infected individuals.
Main Methods:
- Multiple regression analysis was used.
- The study included 877 Navy and Marine Corps personnel (1988-1991).
- Adjustments were made for age and estimated duration of infection.
Main Results:
- Strong antibody responses to p24, p53, and p55 antigens were linked to higher initial CD4+ counts.
- Increased reactivity to gp41 was associated with significantly lower initial CD4+ counts.
- Antibodies to gp160 showed a non-significant negative association with CD4+ counts.
Conclusions:
- Specific HIV antibody profiles on Western blot correlate with initial CD4+ T-cell levels.
- These findings may offer insights into HIV pathogenesis and immune response.
Abstract:
The Western blot is the most widely used confirmatory test for determining human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity. Specific bands in the Western blot indicate antibody responses to various portions of HIV or its precursors, and each is assigned a score from 0 to 3+. While the precise role of humoral antibody responses has not been fully established, specific antibody responses might influence the course of HIV infection. This study investigated the association between antibody reactivity to nine principal Western blot bands and initial CD4+ counts among 877 Navy and Marine Corps personnel during 1988 to 1991. Multiple regression was used to evaluate the strength and significance of the associations and to adjust for age and estimated duration of infection. Strong antibody responses to the p24 core (P < 0.05), p53 reverse transcriptase (P < 0.005), and p55 core precursor (P < 0.0001) antigens were associated with higher initial CD4+ counts, with 33 to 48 additional cells/mm3 associated with each unit increase in the Western blot score, according to a multiple regression analysis which controlled for age and duration of infection (maximum 24 months). By contrast, antibodies to the gp41 transmembrane antigen (P < 0.0001) were associated with lower initial CD4+ counts. Each unit increase in the gp41 band was associated with 76 fewer CD4+ cells/mm3. A negative association was also observed for the gp160 envelope precursor antigen, with each unit increase in reactivity associated with 51 fewer CD4+ cells, although this association was not statistically significant (P = 0.09).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)