HTLV-III seropositivity in symptom-free Italian haemophiliacs. Correlation with consumption of commercial concentrate and abnormalities of T and B lymphocytes

Scand J Haematol. 1986 Feb;36(2):198-202. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1986.tb00828.x.

Abstract

Various immunological parameters exploring both T- and B-cell functions were determined in a group of 74 symptom-free Italian haemophiliacs treated with commercial concentrate imported from the USA and were correlated with the presence in their serum of antibody to HTLV-III. There was a strong correlation between HTLV-III seropositivity and the amount of concentrate consumed. A significant correlation between HTLV-III seropositivity and T-cell alterations, such as T4/T8 ratio less than 1 and reduction in the absolute number of T4+ lymphocytes, or B-cell alterations such as hypergammaglobulinaemia and enhanced spontaneous IgG synthesis in vitro, was also observed.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • Deltaretrovirus / immunology*
  • Hemophilia A / blood
  • Hemophilia A / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / analysis
  • Italy
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Reference Values
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • gamma-Globulins / analysis

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulins
  • gamma-Globulins