Document 0623
 DOCN  M9550623
 TI    Elevation of IgE in HIV-infected children and its correlation with the
       progression of disease.
 DT    9505
 AU    Vigano A; Principi N; Crupi L; Onorato J; Vincenzo ZG; Salvaggio A;
       Paediatric Department IV, University of Milan, L. Sacco Hospital,;
       Italy.
 SO    J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1995 Feb;95(2):627-32. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/95155715
 AB    BACKGROUND: According to recent data, a switch from a TH1 to a TH2
       pattern of cytokines might be a critical step in the progression of
       human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Previous studies have
       demonstrated a disturbance in IgE synthesis in HIV-infected adults.
       METHODS: Fifty-eight children infected vertically with HIV and 35
       children with seroreversion, aged 4 months to 11 years, were evaluated
       for IgE serum level, CD4+ cell count, skin prick test responses to
       common airborne and food allergens, individual and family history of
       atopy, and presence of opportunistic infections. In thirty of the 58
       HIV-infected children serum interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma levels
       were assessed. Thirty-three of the 58 HIV-infected children had a
       follow-up of 1 year for IgE levels, CD4+ cell count, and occurrence of
       opportunistic infections and recurrent bacterial infections. RESULTS:
       Both IgE concentration and the percentage of children with IgE elevation
       were markedly increased (with no correlation to skin prick test
       responses or opportunistic infections) in the group of 58 HIV-infected
       children as compared with the 35 children with seroreversion (p < 0.05).
       The same parameters were higher in children with acquired
       immunodeficiency syndrome as compared with children with asymptomatic or
       mildly symptomatic disease (p < 0.05). Serum interleukin-4 and
       interferon-gamma levels do not account for IgE hyperproduction. There
       was a significant association between persistent IgE elevation and
       severe decline ( > or = 30% over 1 year) in CD4+ counts, as well as
       increased susceptibility to bacterial infections. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
       demonstrates a spectrum of IgE dysfunction in children, which is similar
       to that observed in adults. A persistent IgE hyperproduction appears to
       be associated with a severe decline in CD4+ cell count, suggesting that
       this clinical test is a useful marker of disease progression.
 DE    Analysis of Variance  Biological Markers/BLOOD  Child  Child, Preschool
       Comparative Study  CD4 Lymphocyte Count  Disease Progression  Disease
       Susceptibility  Human  HIV Infections/*IMMUNOLOGY  *HIV-1  IgE/*BLOOD
       Infant  Interferon Type II/BLOOD  Interleukin-4/BLOOD  Support, Non-U.S.
       Gov't  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).