Immune recovery under highly active antiretroviral therapy is associated with restoration of lymphocyte proliferation and interferon-gamma production in the presence of Toxoplasma gondii antigens

J Infect Dis. 2001 Jun 1;183(11):1586-91. doi: 10.1086/320706. Epub 2001 May 1.

Abstract

The in vitro lymphocyte proliferative response (LPR) and interferon (IFN)-gamma production in the presence of Toxoplasma antigen were evaluated in 97 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected patients with CD4 cell counts of <100 cells/microL (group 1), currently >300 cells/microL but previously <100 cells/microL (group 2), or always >300 cells/microL (group 3) and in 28 non-HIV-infected blood donors (group 4), all seropositive to Toxoplasma. In group 2, 81% of patients had a positive LPR, versus 20% in group 1 (P<10(-3)). IFN-gamma production was greater in group 2 than in group 1 (922 vs. 0 Deltapg/mL; P=10(-4)). Multivariate analysis found a significant association between a positive LPR to Toxoplasma antigen and a CD4 count >300 cells/microL (odds ratio [OR], 16.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3-50.2) and anti-Toxoplasma IgG titer >150 IU/mL (OR, 5; 95% CI, 1.6-15.2). Immune reconstitution under highly active antiretroviral therapy was associated with a restoration of immune responses against Toxoplasma.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host / immunology*
  • Interferon-gamma / analysis*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Interferon-gamma