Comparison of lymphocyte populations in patients infected with M. avium possessing varying colony morphology.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Comparison of lymphocyte populations in patients infected with M. avium possessing varying colony morphology.

Abstr Annu Meet Am Soc Microbiol. 1991 May 5-9;91:148 (abstract no. U-34). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASM91/0060292
Tassell SK; King B; Measel JW; Weis SE; Barrow WW; Biotherapeutics, Arlington, Texas.

Abstract: The Mycobacterium avium complex is a group of opportunistic pathogens clinically important in AIDS patients and whose mechanisms of pathogenicity have not been defined. Lymphocyte populations were enumerated in a group of HIV-negative patients to identify modified immune parameters associated with chronic M. avium infections. Flow cytometry was used to quantitate lymphocyte populations with FITC-labeled monoclonal antibodies directed to B1, B4, CD3, CD4, and CD8 epitopes. Infection with M. avium was confirmed by biochemical assays of repetitive culture isolates and thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis of lipids extracted from isolates. All except one isolate exhibited smooth colony morphology (transparent or opaque) and contained the serovar-specific glycopeptidolipid (GPL) antigens associated with the M. avium complex. The isolates demonstrated multiple drug resistance and lipid profiles unlike serotypes commonly associated with AIDS patients (i.e. 1,4 & 8; serotyping is pending). All except one of eight patients demonstrated a reduced CD4/CD8 ratio (less than or equal to 1.6; male controls = 2.5+/0.9, female controls = 2.7+/-1.0) and two patients demonstrated a ratio of < 1.0. GPL antigens were not observed in serum at levels detectable by TLC. Results suggestt that 1) chronic M. avium infections may alter immune functions by mechanisms not yet determined and 2) factors involved in pathogenicity and drug resistance are apparently shared by rough and smooth colony types.

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS Antibodies, Monoclonal Antigens, CD/IMMUNOLOGY Chromatography, Thin Layer Comparative Study Female Glycolipids/ISOLATION & PURIF Human *Lymphocyte Subsets Male Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection/COMPLICATIONS/ *IMMUNOLOGY ABSTRACT
920830
M9281077

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