Acquired immune dysfunction in homosexual men: immunologic profiles

Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1983 Jun;27(3):315-25. doi: 10.1016/0090-1229(83)90084-3.

Abstract

Homosexual men with Kaposi sarcoma, lymphadenopathy syndrome, opportunistic infection, and nonhomosexual traditional Kaposi sarcoma were evaluated for B cell, T cell, and complement immunity and compared to normal controls and homosexual controls. No significant immunologic abnormalities were found in the traditional Kaposi group. All homosexual groups, including the homosexual controls, had a significant decrease in the helper/suppressor cell ratio. Functional abnormalities of T-cell immunity were observed in the homosexual Kaposi sarcoma, lymphadenopathy syndrome, and opportunistic infection groups. Significant elevations of IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE were found in the lymphadenopathy group, while only IgG and IgA were elevated in the Kaposi sarcoma group. C3, C4, and immune complexes were normal, while total hemolytic complement activity was increased in the Kaposi sarcoma and lymphadenopathy syndrome groups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Complement System Proteins / analysis
  • Complement System Proteins / immunology
  • Homosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Diseases / complications
  • Lymphatic Diseases / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed
  • Male
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / complications
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / analysis
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / complications
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / classification
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Complement System Proteins