Human immunodeficiency virus infection in the US Air Force: seroconversions, clinical staging, and assessment of a T helper cell function assay to predict change in CD4+ T cell counts
Article Abstract:
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the causative agent of AIDS. It attacks and destroys the immune system (the body's natural defense system for fighting infection), and increases the risk of developing life-threatening infections. The US Department of Defense began testing military personnel for HIV infection in 1985. All personnel on active duty, in the National Guard and the reserves are tested for HIV antibodies, an indication of infection. The Wilford Hall US Air Force (USAF) Medical Center is the referral hospital for all USAF personnel who develop HIV infection. A total of 933 people with HIV infection were evaluated at the Medical Center by January of 1990. Ninety-five percent of the patients were men, 55 percent were white and 38 percent were black. Most of these cases were diagnosed through the USAF mandatory HIV testing program, and most of those who tested positive for HIV antibodies did not have any symptoms at the time testing was performed. A total of 161 new cases of HIV infection among active duty USAF personnel were diagnosed by May of 1990; these individuals converted from having HIV-negative to HIV-positive test results. This translates to an infection rate of 0.16 cases per 1,000 person-years of active service between June of 1988 and July of 1990. The risk factors for developing HIV infection and the exact mode of HIV transmission among military personnel are not well understood at this time. However, preliminary studies indicate that risk factors for acquiring HIV infection are similar to those of the civilian population. In addition to describing the epidemiology of HIV infection among military personnel, this study assessed the value of using an in vitro T helper cell functional assay to predict the slope of CD4+ T cell decline over time. For patients with early HIV infection, this assay was able to predict declines in CD4+ T cell counts. The assay could prove useful in evaluating the effectiveness of new anti-HIV chemotherapy and immunotherapy. It may also be more reliable than CD4+ T cell counts in monitoring children with HIV infection. The Walter Reed staging system for HIV infection is also discussed. A subset of HIV-positive patients maintained high CD4+ T cell counts. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Infectious Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0022-1899
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
CSF changes in a longitudinal study of 124 neurologically normal HIV-1-infected U.S. Air Force personnel
Article Abstract:
A study was conducted examining the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 124 HIV-infected individuals who did not have any symptoms of infection affecting their nerves. The CSF of each individual was examined three times at approximately yearly intervals. The status of the immune function of these individuals was monitored by measuring the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes (a white blood cell). HIV enters T lymphocytes via the CD4 molecule and eventually kills these cells. CD4+ lymphocytes are involved in stimulation of the immune system and the loss of these cells results in immunodeficiency, which allows the development of the disease state known as AIDS. Two groups of patients were identified. One group included 66 patients who had a progressive decrease in the number of CD4+ cells, indicating advancing disease; the other had 58 patients who did not show a decrease in CD4+ cells. Various parameters of the CSF of these two groups of patients were examined. An increase in the number of immune cells and production of IgG (immunoglobulin G; a molecule produced in an immune response) was found in the CSF of both groups, regardless of the status of the number of CD4+ cells. The results indicate that the changes in CSF occur in HIV-infected individuals who do not have symptoms of nervous system dysfunction whether they have a normal number of CD4+ cells or decreasing CD4 cells, a sign of poor immune function. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0894-9255
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Long-term human immunodeficiency virus infection in asymptomatic homosexual and bisexual men with normal CD4+ lymphocyte counts: immunologic and virologic characteristics
- Abstracts: Human immunodeficiency virus neutralizing antibodies in sera from North Americans and Africans. Human immunodeficiency virus-specific IgA in infants born to human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive women
- Abstracts: Long-term human immunodeficiency virus infection in asymptomatic homosexual and bisexual men with normal CD4+ lymphocyte counts: immunologic and virologic characteristics. part 2