[Occurrence of free receptor for interleukin 2 in serum and quantitative determinations of CD25+ in patients infected with HIV]. / Wystepowanie wolnego receptora dla interleukiny 2 w surowicy oraz oznaczenia ilosciowe limfocytów CD25+ u pacjentów zakazonych HIV.

Serum soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) concentration and the percentage of lymphocytes presenting this receptor (CD25+) were investigated in 28 asymptomatic HIV carriers or patients with lymphadenopathy only and in 15 AIDS patients. The levels of sIL-2R were found to be higher in AIDS patients (mean 1060 U/ml) than in persons during the initial stages of infection (mean 750 U/ml) or controls (mean 470 U/ml). No significant differences in the quantity of CD25+ lymphocytes between these groups were observed, with the means of 1.0; 1.3 and 1.1, respectively. However, a decrease in percentage of these cells were found in patients with advanced HIV infection. Since sIL-2R is regarded as a marker of immune system activation its detection could be helpful in the assessment of the immune status impairment in HIV infected patients.

[Evaluation of humoral immune response in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV infection. Analysis of titers of anti-Hbs, antibodies against cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus type I, rubella virus and toxoplasma gondii]. / Ocena humoralnej odpowiedzi immunologicznej u pacjentów z bezobjawowym i objawowymi zakazeniem HIV. Analiza mian przeciwcial anty-HBs, przeciwko wirusowi cytomegalii, herpes simplex typ I, rózyczki oraz Toxoplasma gondii.

40 asymptomatic HIV carriers and 45 AIDS patients were tested for anti-HBs (Hepatitis B Virus surface antigen), anti-RV (Rubella virus), anti-Toxo (Toxoplasma gondii), anti-CMV (Cytomegalovirus) and anti-HSV-1 (Herpes simplex virus type 1) antibody titers and compared with 83 persons characterized by risk behaviours but seronegative for HIV. The prevalence of these antibodies was very high and similar in all three groups studied, however, patients with AIDS had generally lower antibody titers when compared with asymptomatic carriers. The only exception being anti-HSV-1 which was present in high titre even in gravely ill patients. It seems that subjects with clinically overt HIV infection develop a serious disturbance in the humoral immune response with depressed specific antibody synthesis.

[Appearance of thrombocytopenia in patients infected with HIV]. / Wystepowanie maloplytkowosci u chorych zakazonych HIV.

Results of quantitative determinations of thrombocytes and selected, basal immune parameters in 263 HIV infected subjects are presented. A decrease in the platelet count was observed more frequently in symptomatic subjects, including AIDS patients, than in asymptomatic HIV carriers or patients with generalized lymphadenopathy only. A significant correlation between thrombocyte number and percentage and number of CD4+ lymphocyte and CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte ratio was found only in the group of symptomatic subjects. The mechanisms responsible for thrombocytopenia in HIV infected patients ore discussed in details.

[Mycobacterial infection in patients with AIDS]. / Zakazenie mykobakteriami u chorych na AIDS.

Bacteriological diagnosis of tuberculosis was performed in 104 HIV-positive patients, in majority AIDS patients hospitalized in AIDS Clinic of Infections and Parasitic Diseases Institute of Medical Academy. 390 samples were examined, e.d. 3.75 from each patient (from 1 to 22 samples). M. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 14 patients and all of them were clinically observed because of pulmonary tuberculosis. The highest percentage of positive results was obtained from bronchial fluid evacuated during bronchoscopy.

An interim report on the effect of natural human interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) lozenges in patients seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).

Oral mucosal administration of natural human interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) lozenges has previously been applied to the treatment of HIV-1 seropositive patients with benefits including weight gain and amelioration of clinical signs and symptoms of disease. These previous studies have been of short duration and employed treatment at a constant dosage. In this interim report, we describe the positive effects of long-term administration of IFN-alpha lozenges given in increasing dosages over the time. Forty adult patients positive for HIV-1 by ELISA and Western Blot have been enrolled in an ongoing, open-label study. Patients have received IFN-alpha lozenges at dosages ranging from 75-600 IU administered once daily into the oral cavity to promote oral mucosal contact. Patients have been treated for variable periods, ranging from 19 days to over 700 days. A group of untreated and unmatched patients, positive for HIV-1 by ELISA and Western Blot, were also followed during this study. At the time of this interim report, only 18 patients had received long-term treatment (more than 168 days with one or more increases in dosage). Five of the 18 patients died; one committed suicide. Two died due to complications of Kaposi sarcoma and another two died of HIV-related causes. The remaining 13 patients have exhibited a significantly smaller mean monthly decrease in CD4+ cells than the untreated but unmatched patients monitored during the same time period (P < or = 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Prevalence of HIV antigens in cerebrospinal fluid and in serum of patients with both asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV infection]. / Wystepowanie antygenów HIV w plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym i w surowicy u osób z bezobjawowym i objawowym zakazeniem HIV.

Prevalence of HIV-Ag in both serum and CSF has been determined in 19 HIV infected patients, including 7 patients without any symptoms or only generalized lymphadenopathy, 5 patients with ARC and 7 patients with AIDS. The results have been correlated with clinically evident neurological disorders. HIV-Ag have been detected in 9 out of 12 patients with ARC (AIDS Related Complex) and AIDS. In 8 of them neurological disorders have been present. Out of the remaining 7 patients in only one HIV-Ag has been detected in CSF (p < 025). No correlation between the presence of HIV antigen in CSF and serum has been noted.

[Quantitative assay of CD8+ (cytotoxic and suppressor) lymphocytes in patients with both asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV infection]. / Badania ilosciowe limfocytów CD8+ (cytotoksycznych i supresorowych) u chorych z bezobjawowym i objawowym zakazeniem HIV.

Lymphocytes CD8+ have been assayed prospectively in 245 individuals infected with HIV. Percentage and number of CD8+ have been nearly two-fold higher in asymptomatic patients or patients with lymphadenopathy than those in the control group. The number of CD8+ lymphocytes has been rapidly decreasing parallel to the progression of HIV (ARC and AIDS), while their percentage has increased--however insignificantly. There has been a positive correlation between the number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells and all clinical stages of HIV infection.

[N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and diurnal excretion of hydroxyproline in chronic viral hepatitis]. / N-acetyl-beta-glukozaminidaza i dobowe wydalanie hydroksyproliny w przewleklych wirusowych zapaleniach watroby.

In 37 patients with chronic active hepatitis, in 14 with chronic persistent hepatitis and in 11 with normal histological pattern of the liver the serum activity of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and the 24-hour excretion of hydroxyproline with urine were determined. The 24-hour excretion of hydroxyproline was similar in all groups of patients, while the activity hepatitis and higher than in those of chronic persistent hepatitis (36.9 +/- 12.9 i.u. per 100 ml versus 22.4 +/- 8.2 i.u. per 100 ml, p less than 0.05). In patients with high serum NAGL activity cirrhosis developed significantly more frequently.

[Hepatitis B virus infection in alcoholics]. / Zakazenie wirusem zapalenia watroby typu B u alkoholików.

Chromosomal analysis has been carried out in 4 patients with the symptoms of hepatic coma. An analysis included lymphocytes cultured from peripheral blood. Chromosomal disorders have been assessed with two techniques: structural chromosomal aberrations test, and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test. It has been shown that the extend of chromosomal damage in the form of the gaps, breaks, acentric chromosomes as well as the presence of ring and dicentric chromosomes, and micronuclear cells have been higher in the examined patients. Such changes may evidence DNA repair disorders, and the presence of micronuclear forms may seem an unfavourable prognosis.

Plasma protein C as a marker of hepatocellular damage in alcoholic liver disease.

The synthesis of a number of clotting factors takes place in a hepatocyte. Therefore, measurement of these factors in the blood have proved to be of additional value in the diagnosis and follow-up of liver diseases. In the present study we evaluated protein C level in the plasma of patients with liver cell damage due to chronic alcohol consumption. A decrease in plasma protein C concentration which correlated with clinical performance of the patients was found. Significant correlations between the level of protein C and antithrombin III, one-stage prothrombin time, factors VII and X and some biochemical tests reflecting liver cell damage were also stated. The obtained data indicate that plasma protein C level may constitute a useful marker of hepatocellular disease in alcoholics.

[Titer of anti-P24 and anti-GP41 antibodies as a diagnostic parameter in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV infections]. / Miana przeciwcial anty-P24 i anty-GP41 jako parameter diagnostyczny u pacjentów z bezobjawowym i objawowym zakazeniem HIV.

Anti-p24 and anti-gp41 antibody titers were determined in sera from 20 asymptomatic HIV carriers and 15 AIDS patients. Anti-p24 titer was found to be significantly lower in AIDS patients than in asymptomatic HIV carriers and anti-gp41 titer was similar in both investigated groups. A correlation was found between T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio and anti-p24 antibody titer in patients with AIDS.

[Influence of therapy with glucocorticosteroids on clinical status, t4 lymphocyte count and t4/t8 lymphocyte ratio in people infected with AIDS]. / Wplyw leczenia glikokortykosteroidami na stan kliniczny, liczbe limfocytów T4 oraz wartosc stosunku limfocytów T4 do T8 u osób zakazonych HIV.

The influence of glucocorticosteroids (GKS) therapy on clinical status, T4 lymphocyte count in peripheral blood and T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio was investigated in five HIV infected patients: two were asymptomatic, while three had clinically overt disease. The reasons for GKS therapy were: thrombocytopenia in two patients, pancytopenia in two and sepsis with severe endocarditis in one. No influence of GKS on the clinical course of HIV infection was observed. The prospective determinations of T4 lymphocyte count and T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio were relatively constant in two cases, in one case increased and in two patients, one of whom had AIDS, a decrease in both parameters was observed. It seems that GKS therapy does not seriously influence the course of HIV infection in most patients and can be instituted without risk of severe worsening of the immune status.

[Occurrence of HIV antigens in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]. / Wystepowanie antygenemii HIV u pacjentów z zespolem nabytego uposledzenia odpornosci.

A total of 74 serum samples from 37 AIDS patients were analysed for HIV antigen and results were correlated with duration of the disease, predominant symptoms, T4 lymphocyte count in peripheral blood, and antiviral therapy. The prevalence of HIV-Ag increased with duration of AIDS and T4 lymphocyte depletion. It was also higher in patients who were not treated with antiviral therapy than in treated persons. No correlation was found between HIV-Ag and clinical picture of AIDS. HIV antigenemia indicates a poor prognosis and can be regarded as an additional parameter of monitoring of AIDS patients.

[T4 lymphocytes (helper cells) and T8 lymphocytes (cytotoxic and suppressor cells) in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV infection]. / Limfocyty T4 (pomocnicze) oraz T8 (cytotoksyczne i supresorowe) u pacjentów z bezobjawowym i objawowym zakazeniem HIV.

250 determinations of lymphocyte T subsets in 130 HIV infected patients (79 asymptomatic carriers or with lymphadenopathy, 31 ARC- and 20 AIDS-patients) were analyzed as to the percentage, number, and ratio of T4 (helper) and T8 (cytotoxic/suppressor) lymphocytes in sequential clinical stages of HIV infection. Asymptomatic HIV carriers or patients with lymphadenopathy were found to have statistically significant higher counts of erythrocytes, platelets, total lymphocytes, percentage and number of T4 lymphocytes and T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio than the ARC-patients. Persons with ARC in comparison with AIDS-patients were found to have significantly higher values of erythrocytes, platelets, leucocytes, total lymphocytes, T4 lymphocytes, percentage and count of T8 lymphocytes and T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio. In AIDS patients a statistically significant correlation was seen between number of T4 lymphocyte and number of erythrocytes, platelets, total number of lymphocytes and value of T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio.

[Prospective studies of T4 and T8 lymphocyte subpopulations and beta 2-microglobulin in patients with HIV infection]. / Prospektywne badania subpopulacji limfocytów T4 i T8 oraz beta-2-mikroglobuliny u osób zakazonych HIV.

Sequential changes of percentage and number of T4 (helper) and T8 (cytotoxic/suppressor) lymphocyte subsets and serum beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2m) level were observed in 23 HIV infected patients for a period of 4 months to 3 years. 10 subjects were asymptomatic HIV carriers, 9 had already AIDS at the beginning of the study and 4 patients developed clinically overt disease during the observation period. T4 lymphocyte number remained in normal range in asymptomatic HIV carriers but in 4 patients its decrease preceded the development of clinical symptoms of infection. A rapid decrease of T4 lymphocyte number was generally observed in AIDS patients. Serum concentration of beta 2m remained at relatively low and constant level in asymptomatic HIV carriers but in 4 cases its increase preceded the appearance of clinical symptoms. In patients with clinically overt disease beta 2m levels were significantly increased and reached the highest values just before death. A correlation between clinical stage of infection and the number of T4 lymphocytes and beta 2 m level was found.

[Neuropsychological disorders in patients with symptomatic AIDS treated in 1990 at the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Clinic, Medical Academy, Warsaw]. / Zaburzenia neurologiczno-psychiatryczne u chorych z pelnoobjawowym AIDS leczonych w 1990 roku w Klinice Nabytych Niedoborów Immunologicznych A.M. w Warszawie.

Material of this study consists of data collected during treatment of HIV infected patients admitted to AIDS Clinic in Warsaw. This unit, as the first in Poland, hospitalized seropositive patients with various infectious problems. Psychiatric complication of HIV infection (which needed psychotropic medication) was already observed in the first patient, who died with AIDS diagnosis (in February, 1987). In this study data concerning patients in AIDS Clinic during 1990 are presented. In this time 89 HIV seropositive patients (11 of these were women) were admitted to the clinic. Fifty two patients (10 of them were women) were IV drug abusers. Other 33 patients were homosexual (among them 4 IV drug abusers). Eight patients were out of high risk groups for HIV infection. Twelve of 89 patients were newly AIDS diagnosed. Three of them were IV drug abusers. Nine of AIDS patients (one a drug abuser) died in 1990. In six of 12 patients with AIDS diagnosis (50%) neuropsychiatric disorders were stated: depressive syndromes (n = 2), dementia syndromes with severe neurological symptoms (n = 2), delirium syndromes (n = 2). Other 3 person were IV drug abusers. In this study all above mentioned cases and their treatment are described. Our data suggest that HIV seropositive patients with psychiatric disorders need very careful diagnosis and an individual therapeutic intervention.

[Procollagen type III peptides in chronic viral hepatitis]. / Peptydy prokolagenu typu III w przewleklych wirusowych zapaleniach watroby.

Blood serum concentration of procollagen type III peptides was assayed in 37 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 14 patients with persisting chronic hepatitis, and 11 normal subjects. Mean concentration of these peptides was significantly higher in patients with chronic active hepatitis than in those with persisting chronic hepatitis (25.6 +/- 11.5 ng/mL vs. 14.0 +/- 4.5 ng/mL; p < 0.001), and in individuals without lesions to the liver (25.6 +/- 11.5 ng/mL vs. 12.5 +/- 2.9 ng/mL; p < 0.001). Blood serum concentration of procollagen type III peptides may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of hepatitis.

[Beta-2 microglobulin as a non-specific marker of immunodeficiency in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]. / Beta-2 mikroglobulina jako nieswoisty wskaznik zaburzen odpornosci u osób zakazonych ludzkim wirusem uposledzenia odpornosci (HIV).

Beta-2-microglobulin (beta 2m) is a polypeptide composing HLA antigens on the surface of nucleated cells. Its serum concentration is increased mainly in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders and during viral infections, and reflects probably accelerated activation and turnover of T cells. In this paper we report on abnormalities of beta 2m serum levels in HIV-infected patients. 17 asymptomatic HIV-carriers and 16 persons with clinically overt disease were examined and compared with 20 healthy controls. Patients with confirmed AIDS or ARC were found to have significantly raised beta 2m levels. We found elevated values of beta 2m in asymptomatic HIV-carriers even with normal T4/T8 lymphocytes ratio. There were statistically significant differences in mean beta 2m values between these groups and healthy individuals. beta 2m can be considered as an early, non-specific marker of HIV infection, even in the absence of clinical manifestations of AIDS.

[Serological markers of hepatitis b and hepatitis d among individuals with symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV infection]. / Wystepowanie wskazników serologicznych zakazenia wirusami zapalenia watroby typu B i D u osób z objawowym i bezobjawowym zakazeniem wirusem HIV.

Serological markers of present or past HBV infection were looked for in 69 persons infected with HIV. 40 out of them were clinically asymptomatic, while 29 showed evidence of clinically overt disease related to HIV infection. Most of them were homo- or bisexual men, prostitutes or intravenous drug abusers. Control group consisted of 247 anti-HIV negative persons with the same behavioural patterns. Serological markers compatible with present or past HBV infection were found in 18 out of 40 (45%) asymptomatic HIV carriers, in 23 out of 29 (79.3%) patients with clinically overt HIV infection, and in 82 out of 247 (33.2%) anti-HIV negative persons from the control group. Presented data show that HIV-infected clinically overt individuals have a higher prevalence of HBV markers than asymptomatic carriers of HIV or persons without anti-HIV belonging to risk groups. Therefore, HBV could be a factor influencing outcome of HIV infection.