Acquired immunodeficiency with reversed T4/T8 ratios in infants born to promiscuous and drug-addicted mothers. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1983. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Acquired immunodeficiency with reversed T4/T8 ratios in infants born to promiscuous and drug-addicted mothers.

JAMA. 1983 May 6;249(17):2350-6. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/83164650
Rubinstein A; Sicklick M; Gupta A; Bernstein L; Klein N; Rubinstein E; Spigland I; Fruchter L; Litman N; Lee H; Hollander M

Abstract: A new syndrome of acquired immunodeficiency has been identified in seven children who were small for gestational age at birth and subsequently have exhibited failure to thrive, lymphadenopathy, parotitis, hepatosplenomegaly, interstitial pneumonia, and recurrent infections. All have a profound cell-mediated immunodeficiency with reversed T4/T8 ratios. Six are hypergammaglobulinemic and one has low IgG levels. The mothers of five of the seven children are sexually promiscuous and/or drug addicts. Three mothers have an immunodeficiency similar to that found in their infants. One of them died at age 33 years with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In five of the children and in three of their mothers, there is evidence of a persistent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. We speculate that a perinatal or in utero transmission of EBV can induce an infectious immunodeficiency. The clinical, histopathologic, and immunologic features resemble those described in adult homosexuals and drug addicts.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/ETIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY/ *TRANSMISSION Age Factors Case Report Child, Preschool Diacetylmorphine/ADVERSE EFFECTS Female Human Infant Male Maternal-Fetal Exchange Pregnancy Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects *Sex Behavior *Substance Dependence Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/ETIOLOGY Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. T-Lymphocytes/*IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes, Suppressor-Effector/IMMUNOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/etiology/immunology/KWDtransmissionagefactorscasereportchild,preschooldiacetylmorphine/adverseeffectsfemalehumaninfantmalematernal-fetalexchangepregnancyprenatalexposuredelayedeffectsKWDsexbehaviorKWDsubstancedependencesubstancewithdrawalsyndrome/etiologysupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tsupport,uKWDsKWDgov't,pKWDhKWDsKWDt-lymphocytes/KWDimmunologyt-lymphocytes,helper-inducer/immunologyt-lymphocytes,suppressor-effector/immunologyjournalarticle
830730
M8370025

Copyright © 1983 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1983. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1983. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .