The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in hemophiliacs: a hypothesis. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1986. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in hemophiliacs: a hypothesis.

AIDS Res. 1983-84;1(1):83-90. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/86242446
Shankey TV; Eyster ME

Abstract: Healthy hemophiliacs receiving antihemophilic (AHF) concentrates have decreased T-helper/suppressor (H/S) ratios, similar to the changes observed in healthy homosexuals considered at risk for the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). We present a hypothesis which focuses on the role of natural killer (NK) cells and elevated serum levels of alpha interferon (IFN alpha) in hemophiliacs with AIDS. This hypothesis suggests that alloantigens in AHF concentrates provide an important inducing event which compromises the immune system of the hemophilia patient and enhances his susceptibility to infection by a transmissible agent. It provides an explanation for the predominance of NK cells with T-cell markers, impaired NK cell function, elevated serum IFN alpha levels, and the deficit in T-helper/inducer cells in hemophilic patients with AIDS. Furthermore, it could account for the T-cell subset imbalance in relation to total AHF units transfused, and to the development of an inverted H/S ratio which is a constant feature of AIDS.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*ETIOLOGY Factor VIII/THERAPEUTIC USE Hemophilia/*COMPLICATIONS/IMMUNOLOGY/THERAPY Human Interferon Type I/BLOOD Killer Cells, Natural/IMMUNOLOGY Male T-Lymphocytes/CLASSIFICATION JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDetiologyfactorviii/therapeuticusehemophilia/KWDcomplications/immunology/therapyhumaninterferontypei/bloodkillercells,natural/immunologymalet-lymphocytes/classificationjournalarticle
861030
M86A0305

Copyright © 1986 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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