Immune derangements in asymptomatic male homosexuals in Israel: a pre-AIDS condition? NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Immune derangements in asymptomatic male homosexuals in Israel: a pre-AIDS condition?

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1984;437:549-53. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/85197401
Handzel ZT; Galili-Weisstub E; Burstein R; Berner Y; Pecht M; Netzer L; Trainin N; Barzilai N; Levin S; Bentwich Z

Abstract: We have described several immune derangements found in a clinically asymptomatic group of 117 male homosexuals (MHS) in Israel. These consisted of a marked decrease in TH and TS cells, decreased NK and allogeneic response, and increased levels of acid labile alpha-interferon and circulating immune complexes (CIC). Most of these alterations were found in approximately 40% of the subjects, with no simple correlation between them. Since Israel is a low incidence area for AIDS and related syndromes, it is suggested that this situation reflects a common situation among asymptomatic MHS in general, although the reasons for these impairments are not clear. This situation may therefore explain susceptibility of the male homosexual for developing AIDS, given the appropriate circumstances, environment, and genetic background.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*IMMUNOLOGY Adolescence Adult *Homosexuality Human Interferon Type I/IMMUNOLOGY Interleukin-2/IMMUNOLOGY Israel Killer Cells, Natural/IMMUNOLOGY Lymphocyte Transformation Male T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes, Suppressor-Effector/IMMUNOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDimmunologyadolescenceadult
850830
M8580120

Copyright © 1985 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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