Defective B-lymphocyte function in homosexual men in relation to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. 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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Defective B-lymphocyte function in homosexual men in relation to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Ann Intern Med. 1984 Dec;101(6):757-63. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/85045132
Pahwa SG; Quilop MT; Lange M; Pahwa RN; Grieco MH

Abstract: Patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome manifest a wide spectrum of immunologic abnormalities. Polyclonal and antigen-specific differentiation of B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin- and antibody-secreting cells was studied in vitro in three groups of homosexual volunteers: asymptomatic men; men who were symptomatic but lacked clinical criteria for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; and those having the syndrome. Although mean responses of all three groups were significantly lower than those of healthy heterosexual male controls, those of the asymptomatic group were least affected. Abnormalities in the symptomatic group were equal to or greater than those of patients with the syndrome, but responses of the latter group were the least augmentable by in vitro manipulations. Severe impairment of B-cell function appeared to favor clinical deterioration. Antibody replenishment might be of value as adjunctive therapy in persons with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or as prophylaxis in certain at-risk persons.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*IMMUNOLOGY Adult Antibody Formation Antibody Specificity Antigens/IMMUNOLOGY B-Lymphocytes/*PHYSIOLOGY Cell Differentiation Cells, Cultured Hemolytic Plaque Technique *Homosexuality Human Lymphocyte Transformation Male Middle Age Prospective Studies Rosette Formation JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDimmunologyadultantibodyformationantibodyspecificityantigens/immunologyb-lymphocytes/KWDphysiologycelldifferentiationcells,culturedhemolyticplaquetechniqueKWDhomosexualityhumanlymphocytetransformationmalemiddleageprospectivestudiesrosetteformationjournalarticle
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M8520078

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