Human immunodeficiency virus antigens and antibodies in parenteral drug addicts: correlations with a clinical study
Muga, R.; Tor, J.; Soriano, V.; Clotet, B.; Ribera, A.; Ginestá, C.; Melús, R.; Rey-Joly, C.; Foz, M.; Ribas-Mundó, M.
Medicina Clinica 91(8): 286-288
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 3210823 Document Number: 326267
The presence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigen (Ag) was investigated in 85 sera from parenteral drug abusers (PDA), who were seropositive for antibodies (Ac) and were in different clinical stages of HIV infection. The overall Ag prevalence was 10.5%, and it was clearly correlated with the clinical stage (7.2% in stage III and 31.2% in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) (p < 0.05). In addition, a significant association was established between the detection of antigenemia and the absence of Ac against the p24 protein of the virus core. In the 16 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Ag was not found in those with only esophageal candidiasis as an opportunistic infection, while it was detected in 83% of those with intercurrent or multiple opportunistic infections (p < 0.05).