Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 12 asymptomatic patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 4 patients with AIDS were analyzed before and during therapy with zidovudine for T helper cell (Th) function. Th function improved by more than fourfold to one or more of three stimuli tested in 9 (75%) of 12 asymptomatic patients on zidovudine therapy and in 3 of 4 patients with AIDS. Only 6 (7.4%) of 80 untreated HIV-infected control patients showed spontaneous improvement in Th function (P < 10-6). Improved Th function was detected as early as 5 weeks into therapy in 6 patients and continued to be evident for > 1 year after start of therapy in 6 patients and for > 2 years in 2 patients. No correlation was observed between improved Th function and changes in CD4+ or CD8+ cell numbers or in levels of serum HIV p24 antigen or β2-microglobulin. These results suggest inclusion of in vitro Th function as a useful marker in determining the efficacy of antiretroviral drug therapy of HIV-infected patients.
Reconstitution of long-term T helper cell function after zidovudine therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients / M. Clerici, A.L. Landay, H.A. Kessler, J.P. Phair, D.J. Venzon, C.W. Hendrix, D.R. Lucey, G.M. Shearer. - In: THE JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. - ISSN 0022-1899. - 166:4(1992), pp. 723-730.
Titolo: | Reconstitution of long-term T helper cell function after zidovudine therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients |
Autori: | CLERICI, MARIO SALVATORE (Primo) |
Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: | Settore MED/04 - Patologia Generale |
Data di pubblicazione: | 1992 |
Rivista: | |
Tipologia: | Article (author) |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/infdis/166.4.723 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su periodico |