Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1987. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
THE CLINICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PICTURE OF THE ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME IN MALE HOMOSEXUALS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Diss Abstr Int (Sci); 47(7):2830 1987. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/87633353 Ras GJ; University of Pretoria
Abstract:
The clinical and immunological picture of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was investigated in six male homosexuals. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of opportunistic infections and/or malignancies in South African homosexual males, the nature and mechanisms of underlying cellular immunodeficiency as well as the effects of drugs that stimulate cellular immunity in these patients. All six patients satisfied the criteria for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia. Opportunistic infections and cellular immunodeficiencies occurred in all patients included in this study. The opportunistic infections were caused by Pneumocystis carinii, cytomegalovirus, Candida albicans, Histoplasma capsulatum and herpes simplex. Terminal bacterial infections were found in the four patients on whom post mortem examinations were performed. Deficient lymphocyte chemotaxis was demonstrated in one patient. Deficient neutrophil chemotaxis and lymphocyte proliferation were demonstrated in three patients. These immunodeficiencies were caused by unknown suppressor factors in the serum that inhibit leukocyte movement and lymphocyte proliferation. A reduction in the number of receptors for leukoattractants on the surfaces of neutrophils were found in three patients. An unknown factor in the serum is likely to bind to these receptors, and by so doing, prevent leukoattractants from binding to these receptors. During in vitro and in vivo studies erythromycin, co-trimoxazole and dapsone were found to improve deficient neutrophil chemotaxis in the three patients. The clinical significance of deficient leukocyte chemotaxis and the relationship with HTLV-III/LAV viral infections is unknown. The HTLV-III/LAV virus is considered to be the cause of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Anti-HTLV-III antibodies were present in the four patients who were examined for this viral infection.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS/*IMMUNOLOGY/ MICROBIOLOGY *Homosexuality Human Male South Africa THESIS
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1987. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
