Document 0219
 DOCN  M9650219
 TI    Differential maturation of avidity of IgG antibodies to gp41, p24 and
       p17 following infection with HIV-1.
 DT    9605
 AU    Thomas HI; Wilson S; O'Toole CM; Lister CM; Saeed AM; Watkins RP;
       Morgan-Capner P; Department of Virology, Royal Preston Hospital, UK.
 SO    Clin Exp Immunol. 1996 Feb;103(2):185-91. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96152663
 AB    We have evaluated solid-phase ELISA IgG antibody avidity studies as a
       means of identifying cases of recent HIV-1 infection. Although separate
       studies on the avidity of anti-gp41 and anti-p24 antibodies in
       seroconvertors have been reported, a comparison of the ability of
       patients to simultaneously mature their immune response to more than one
       HIV antigen immediately following seroconversion appears to be lacking.
       We have demonstrated a maturation in anti-gp41 avidity which reflects
       the time since seroconversion in all cases. In contrast, however, only
       some patients produced high-avidity anti-p24 or anti-p17 antibodies
       during the same time span. While the avidity of anti-gp41 antibodies
       remained high in cases of non-recent HIV infection, even in the face of
       advanced disease, we have confirmed the findings of others that the
       avidity of anti-p24 falls before the onset of ARC or AIDS. Therefore,
       whilst the avidity of anti-gp41 antibodies could reliably be of value in
       identifying cases of recent HIV infection, the avidity of anti-p24 or
       anti-p17 antibodies could not, but may be of prognostic value, even at
       an early stage. The time taken to reach maximum anti-p17, anti-p24 and
       anti-gp41 titres was variable, but anti-gp41 titres, like anti-gp41
       avidity, remained high. In contrast, anti-p24 titres fell, even during
       the early followup period in some seroconvertors. Anti-p24 antibody
       avidity, however, appeared to be a better predictor of disease
       progression in 'remote' cases than anti-p24 titre. The avidity and
       titres of these antibodies are presented in relation to the clinical
       details, p24 antigen status, CD4 and CD8 counts where these are known.
 DE    Adult  Antibody Affinity  Gene Products, gag/*IMMUNOLOGY  Human  HIV
       Antibodies/*BLOOD  HIV Antigens/*IMMUNOLOGY  HIV Core Protein
       p24/*IMMUNOLOGY  HIV Envelope Protein gp41/*IMMUNOLOGY  HIV
       Infections/BLOOD/*IMMUNOLOGY  HIV Seropositivity/IMMUNOLOGY
       HIV-1/*IMMUNOLOGY  IgG/*BLOOD  Middle Age  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Time
       Factors  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
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