Lymphocyte subpopulations, neopterin, and beta-2-microglobulin: relationship with clinical stage, risk of progression to AIDS and presence of active infection in HIV infection
Antón, F.; Labarga, P.; Pinilla, J.; Soto, M.J.; Leoz, A.; del Cura, J.; Borque, L.; Milazzo, A.
Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiologia Clinica 11(7): 373-377
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0213-005X PMID: 8104488 Document Number: 415981
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation between the number of CD4 lymphocytes, the CD4/CD8 ratio and the plasma levels of neopterin and beta-2 microglobulin, and the clinical status, risk of progression without of active opportunistic infections, among HIV-infected patients. Seventy-two patients infected by HIV in different clinical groups were evaluated upon entering the study and following a mean follow up of 6 months for the parameters studied. The values of CD4 lymphocytes and neopterin were related with the clinical status according to the CDC's classification, with no significant differences existing in the beta-2 microglobulin level. The CD4 count as well as the neopterin and the beta-2 microglobulin levels differed significantly when classified to the patients with regard to the risk of progression to AIDS throughout the study. The presence of active opportunistic infections was related with significantly higher concentrations of neopterin without differences recorded for the remaining parameters. The parameters studied are good markers or both clinical status and/or the risk of short-term progression to AIDS. Neopterin levels are high during acute infections. Therefore, its prognostic value should be cautiously evaluated in this situation.