Abstract
Twenty-five children with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex had a characteristic pattern of T cell deficiency. Abnormally low plasma thymulin levels preceded the development of peripheral blood T cell abnormalities. In contrast to patients with congenital T cell deficiencies, our patients had elevated serum levels of thymosin-alpha 1. Treatment with thymosin fraction 5 in three children with AIDS resulted in only transient clinical and immunologic improvement.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / blood*
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Deltaretrovirus / immunology
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Humans
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In Vitro Techniques
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Infant
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Thymalfasin
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Thymic Factor, Circulating / blood*
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Thymosin / analogs & derivatives*
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Thymosin / blood
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Thymosin / therapeutic use
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Thymus Hormones / blood*
Substances
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Thymus Hormones
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thymosin fraction 5
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Thymosin
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Thymic Factor, Circulating
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Thymalfasin