Epidemiological characteristics and adherence of a cohort of elderly people with HIV/AIDS in the Public Health System

ABSTRACT Objective To characterize the epidemiological profile of patients aged 50 years or older diagnosed as HIV/AIDS, in a Specialized Service of the Public Health System. Methods A retrospective cohort study using secondary data from medical records in the period 2014 to 2018. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and features related to treatment adherence were organized in a database. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean (or median) ± standard deviation (or interquartile range), and categorical variables expressed as number and percentage of patients. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to assess the probability of overall specific survival. Results Of the 241 initially eligible patients, 149 patients were evaluated, registering 19 deaths in the studied period. There was a predominance of males aged 50-59 years, with severe immunodeficiency upon admission (29.7%), and with a CD4+ T lymphocyte count below 200 cells in 62 (46.3%) of patients. Elderly people aged 61 or over were more adherent. There was an increase in the CD4+ T lymphocyte count by an average of 139.63 in the first 6 months, and 50.51 from the first 6 months to 12 months of follow-up, with an average increase in the first 12 months of 157.63 cells. Specific overall survival in the period was 85%. Conclusion Patients older than 50 years had an immune response and no viral load detection in the 12-month period, deserving further studies to improve survival.

Subsets of T lymphocytes in the lesional skin of pityriasis rosea

Abstract: Background: Pityriasis rosea is a common papulosquamous disorder. However, its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Objective: We investigate the types of inflammatory cells infiltrating the lesional skin of pityriasis rosea and demonstrate whether T-cell-mediated immunity is involved in the pathogenesis of this condition or not. Methods: The biopsies were taken from the lesional skin of 35 cases of patients diagnosed with pityriasis rosea. The specimens were prepared in paraffin sections, then submitted to routine immunohistochemistry procedures using monoclonal antibodies directed against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20 and CD45RO and horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat anti-human antibodies. The positive sections were determined by the ratio and staining intensity of positive inflammatory cells. Results: The mean score of positive CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD45RO staining was respectively 3.74±3.88, 5.67±4.40, 2.94±3.42 and 7.68±4.33 in these pityriasis rosea patients (P<0.001). The percentage of positive staining was 54.29% (19/35), 69.7% (23/33), 40% (14/35) and 79.41% (27/34) (P<0.05). However, the staining of CD20 was negative in all samples. The mean score of CD3 staining in patients with time for remission ≤60 days (4.90±4.21) was higher than that in patients with time for remission >60 days (2.00±2.5) (P<0.05), whereas no statistical difference in the mean score of CD4, CD8 and CD45RO staining was observed. study liMitations: The sample size and the selected monoclonal antibody are limited, so the results reflect only part of the cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of pityriasis rosea. Conclusion: Our findings support a predominantly T-cell mediated immunity in the development of pityriasis rosea.

Cytotoxicity of intracanal dressings on apical papilla cells differ upon activation with E. faecalis LTA

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of modified triple antibiotic paste and an experimental composition using calcium hydroxide on lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-primed apical papilla cells (APC). Material and Methods Human APC were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity of modified Triple Antibiotic Paste (mTAP - Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole and Cefaclor at 1:1:1) and of a paste of Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole and Calcium hydroxide (CMC - 1:1:2) and modified CMC (mCMC - 2:2:1) by using MTT assay. The substances were reconstituted in DMEM at 1,000 µg/mL and » serially diluted before being kept in contact with cells for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. Further, cells were primed with 1 µg/mL of Enterococcus faecalis LTA for 7 days prior to the viability test with 1,000 µg/mL of each substance. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-way ANOVA respectively followed by Tukey's post-test. Significance levels were set at p<0.05. Results In the first assay, the higher cytotoxic rates were reached by mTAP for all experimental periods. CMC was found toxic for APC at 5 and 7 days, whereas mCMC did not affect the cell viability. Only CMC and mCMC were able to induce some cellular proliferation. In the second assay, when considering the condition with medium only, LTA-primed cells significantly proliferated in comparison to LTA-untreated ones. At this context, mTAP and CMC showed similar cytotoxicity than the observed for LTA-untreated cells, while mCMC was shown cytotoxic at 7 days only for LTA-primed APC. Comparing the medications, mTAP was more cytotoxic than CMC and mCMC. Conclusion mTAP showed higher cytotoxicity than CMC and mCMC and the effect of topic antimicrobials might differ when tested against apical papilla cells under physiological or activated conditions.

Use of transfer factor in immunosuppressed surgical patients / Avaliação do uso de fator de transferência na resposta imunológica de pacientes cirúrgicos imunodeprimidos

ABSTRACT Objective : to evaluate the action of Transfer Factor on the immune response of patients with malignant neoplasm submitted to surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Method: we analyzed the variations of leukocytes, total lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes and CD4 counts in 60 patients submitted to immunostimulation with a single, daily dose of 0.5mg sublingual Transfer Factor, started simultaneously with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Results: there were statistically significant increases in the counts of all cell lines studied, more pronounced after 12 months of use of the medication. Conclusion: the Transfer Factor restored immune response and showed no side effects.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a ação do Fator de Transferência na resposta imunológica de pacientes portadores de neoplasia maligna submetidos à cirurgia, quimioterapia e radioterapia. Método: análise das variações dos valores dos leucócitos, linfócitos totais, linfócitos T e CD4 em 60 pacientes submetidos à imunoestimulação com Fator de Transferência administrado em dose única de 0,5mg por via sublingual, diariamente e iniciada simultaneamente à quimioterapia e/ou radioterapia. Resultados: houve um aumento no número de todas as linhagens celulares estudadas que foi mais acentuada após 12 meses de uso da medicação. A análise estatística realizada com o software Graph Pad Instat, testadas pelo método Kolmogorov and Smirnov, mostrou que os resultados foram significativos. Conclusão: o Fator de Transferência restabeleceu a resposta imune e não apresentou efeitos colaterais.

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis in a young man with HIV since birth - case report / Epidermodisplasia verruciforme em um jovem com HIV desde o nascimento - relato de caso

Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis is a genodermatosis characterized by susceptibility to infection by specific HPV types (HPV 3/10 and beta-HPVs). It is considered to be the first model in human carcinogenesis induced by HPV. In this report we present a rare case of Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis associated with vertical transmission of HIV. Although most patients with HIV present infections by HPV virus, the frequency of Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis is no greater in patients with HIV because in EV there is a deficiency of specific cellular immunity to infection by some types of HPV, called HPV-related Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis.

A Epidermodisplasia Verruciforme é uma genodermatose que se caracteriza pela susceptibilidade à infecção por tipos específicos de HPV (HPVs 3 e 10 e os beta-HPVs) e é considerada o primeiro modelo no homem de carcinogênese induzida pelo HPV. Neste artigo apresenta-se um caso raro de Epidermodisplasia Verruciforme em um paciente com HIV desde o nascimento. Apesar dos doentes com HIV apresentarem mais infecções pelos vírus HPVs, existem poucos relatos na literatura de Epidermodisplasia Verruciforme no doente com HIV. Isso se explica, pois a Epidermodisplasia Verruciforme é consequência de uma deficiência celular específica à infecção por alguns tipos distintos de HPVs, ditos HPVs relacionados a Epidermodisplasia Verruciforme.

Heterogeneidade de resposta por IFN-γ a cepas clínicas de Mycobacterium tuberculosis em humanos / Heterogeneity in human IFN-γ responses to clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains

Mycobacterium tuberculosis é um dos mais bem sucedidos patógenos do homem. As cepas virulentas são mais facilmente transmitidas, induzindo respostas imunes variáveis. Avaliamos a resposta celular tipo Th1, através da produção de IFN-γ, como resposta a cepas com padrões diversos em voluntários sadios. Nossos resultados mostraram que indivíduos com teste tuberculínico (TT) negativo já tiveram contato com algumas das cepas testadas, ao passo que indivíduos com TT positivo não responderam a todas as cepas testadas. Cepas resistentes induziram uma média menor de produção de IFN-γ que aquelas sensíveis. Uma possível aplicação prática disto seria que a produção de IFN-γ, em relação a uma cepa isolada específica, poderia auxiliar na previsão da resposta ao tratamento dos pacientes.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the most successful human pathogens. Highly virulent strains, which are more easily transmitted than are less virulent strains, elicit variable immune responses. We evaluated the Th1 responses (IFN-γ production) in healthy volunteers after stimulation with various strains. Our results show that the individuals with negative tuberculin skin test (TST) results were not necessarily naive to all of the strains tested, whereas individuals with positive TST results did not respond to all of the strains tested. Drug-resistant strains induced a lower mean level of IFN-γ production than did drug-sensitive strains. One possible practical application of this finding would be for the prediction of responses to treatment, in which it might be advantageous to have knowledge of the estimated IFN-γ production elicited by a specific isolated strain.

Existe alteração no mecanismo de adesão celular mediado pela E-caderina nas neoplasias cervicais de pacientes soropositivas para o HIV? / Is there any change in the cell adhesion method mediated by e-cadherin in cervical neoplasia of HIV-infected patients?

OBJETIVOS: avaliar a expressão da E-caderina em lesões do colo uterino em pacientes portadoras da infecção pelo vírus HIV. MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo com 77 pacientes apresentando o HPV cervical, sendo 40 soropositivas e 37 soronegativas para o HIV, todas submetidas à colposcopia e biópsia de colo uterino. O material obtido foi encaminhado para histopatologia e imunoistoquímica. Foram realizados cortes e montagem em lâminas silanizadas, e o observador foi blindado para a sorologia da paciente. Foram utilizados os anticorpos E-caderina, marca DAKO, clone NHC-38, com diluição de 1:400, e o sistema de polímeros Novolink (Novocastra). A expressão de E-caderina foi avaliada na membrana da célula epitelial, através da extensão da área corada. Utilizou-se o teste do χ2 com correção de Yates ou o teste de Fisher, para comparação de proporções na análise univariada. Foram incluídas no modelo de regressão logística todas as variáveis com valor p<0,25, chamado de modelo inicial. Foi utilizado o pacote estatístico SPSS e adotado o nível de significância estatística de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: a expressão da E-caderina foi identificada em até 1/3 interno do epitélio em 59,3 por cento dos casos e em até 2/3 do epitélio em 11,1 por cento dos casos, mas em 29,6 por cento dos casos a expressão foi identificada em toda a espessura do epitélio entre as pacientes soronegativas para o HIV. Por outro lado, nas pacientes soropositivas para o HIV, verificou-se 45,9 por cento com expressão em até 1/3 do epitélio, 13,5 por cento com expressão até 2/3 do epitélio e 40,5 por cento em toda a espessura do epitélio. A expressão da E-caderina não foi diferente entre os dois grupos (p=0,5). A análise multivariada, contudo, identificou associação significativa entre as lesões cervicais de alto grau e a expressão da E-caderina em 2/3 e 3/3 do epitélio (p<0,001; χ2=36,9). CONCLUSÕES: a expressão da E-caderina na membrana das células epiteliais não está associada à infeção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana, e sim ao grau da lesão intraepitelial cervical.

PURPOSE: to evaluate the expression of E-cadherin in cervical lesions of patients suffering from HIV infection. METHODS: we conducted a study with 77 patients with cervical HPV infection, 40 of them were HIV seropositive and 37 HIV seronegative who underwent colposcopy and a biopsy of the cervix. The material obtained by biopsy of the cervix was sent for histopathologic and immunohistochemical study. Sections were obtained and mounted on silanized slides and examined by an observer who was blind to patient serology. E-cadherin antibody, clone NHC-38 diluted 1:400 (DAKO) and the Novolink polymer system (Novocastra) were used. The expression of E-cadherin was determined on the epithelial cell membrane based on the extent of the stained area. The χ2 test with Yates correction or the Fisher's Exact test was used for comparison of the proportion in univariate analysis. All the variables with p<0.25 were included in the logistic regression model, called initial model. The analyses were carried out using the SPSS software, with the level of significance set at 5 percent. RESULTS: the expression of E-cadherin was observed in up to the internal 1/3 of the epithelium in 59.3 percent of cases and in up to 2/3 of the epithelium in 11.1 percent of cases, but in 29.6 percent of cases the expression was identified throughout the thickness of the epithelium in HIV-seronegative patients. In contrast, in HIV-seropositive patients, 45.9 percent showed expression up to 1/3 of the epithelium, 13.5 percent showed expression in up to 2/3 of the epithelium, and 40.5 percent showed expression throughout the thickness of the epithelium. E-cadherin expression did not differ between groups (p=0.5). However, the multivariate analysis identified a significant association between high-grade cervical injury and E-cadherin expression in 2/3 and 3/3 of the epithelium (p=0.001; χ2=36.9). CONCLUSIONS: the expression of E-cadherin in the epithelial cell membrane is not associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus, but with the degree of intraepithelial cervical injury.

Reação reversa atípica em paciente com hanseníase dimorfa co-infectado pelo HIV / Atypical reversal reaction in a borderline leprosy patient co-infected with HIV

A infecção pelo HIV não altera a história natural da hanseníase. Observa-se maior incidência de estados reacionais nos pacientes co-infectados, além de casos mais graves de neurite. Paciente soropositiva com hanseníase dimorfa tuberculóide manifestou reação reversa exuberante. Lesões cutâneas atípicas e raras surgiram após a introdução da terapia anti-retroviral que promoveu o início da recuperação imunológica com aumento de linfócitos T CD4+ e queda da carga viral. A restauração da imunidade celular nos pacientes soropositivos pode precipitar reações reversas, descritas recentemente como uma das manifestações da síndrome inflamatória de reconstituição imunológica associada à hanseníase.

HIV infection does not modify the natural course of leprosy. However, HIV co-infection seems to be associated with an increased rate of reactional states and more severe cases of neuritis. The authors describe a case of borderline tuberculoid leprosy in a HIV-positive patient who developed a marked reversal reaction. Atypical and rare skin manifestations, such as verrucous lesions and ulcers, appeared after highly active antiretroviral therapy, which resulted in increased CD4+ T-lymphocyte count and drop in viral load. The restoration of the cellular immunity in HIV-seropositive patients can trigger reversal reactions that are one of the manifestations of the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Only recently the syndrome has been associated with leprosy.

Avaliação da imunidade celular nos pacientes Co-Infectados pelo vírus da hepatite C e vírus da imunodeficiência humana / Evaluation of the cellular immunity in patients coinfected by the hepatitis C virus and the human immunodeficiency virus

RACIONAL: O estado de ativação imune provocado pelo vírus da hepatite C pode agir deleteriamente em indivíduos portadores do vírus da imunodeficiência humana, favorecendo a destruição mais rápida dos linfócitos CD4. Por outro lado, a recuperação imune observada após o início da terapia antiretroviral pode ser parcialmente embotada em indivíduos co-infectados pelo vírus da hepatite C. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto da co-infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C na imunidade celular dos pacientes infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados pacientes co-infectados por ambos os vírus, atendidos prospectivamente no Ambulatório de Gastroenterologia do Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Porto Alegre, RS (grupo 1 - 385 pacientes), e monoinfectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana cujos dados foram obtidos através da revisão dos prontuários do Serviço de Infectologia do mesmo Hospital (grupo 2 - 198 pacientes). Foram avaliados dados demográficos (gênero, raça, idade), contagem de células CD4 e CD8, relação CD4/CD8 e carga viral do vírus da imunodeficiência humana. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa quando avaliados os valores médios da contagem de células CD4 (374,7 ± 215,7 x 357,5 ± 266,0), CD8 (1.512,4 ± 7.274,6 x 986,7 ± 436,4) e da carga viral do vírus da imunodeficiência humana (83.744,2 ± 190.292,0 x 104.464,0 ± 486.880,5), respectivamente nos grupos 1 e 2, bem como na proporção de pacientes com relação CD4/CD8 menor que 1. CONCLUSÃO: A co-infecção por estes vírus não trouxe impacto negativo relevante em relação aos monoinfectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana e as características de imunidade foram semelhantes.

BACKGROUND: The immune activation provoked by the hepatitis C virus can be deleterious in patients with human immunodeficiency virus, favouring the destruction of CD4 cells. By the other side, the immune restoration observed after the onset of antiretroviral therapy can be partially obscured in patients with the hepatitis C virus. AIM: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of coinfection by hepatitis C virus and the human immunodeficiency virus in the cellular immunity. METHODS: Two groups of patients were considered: coinfected patients were prospectively evaluated in the gastroenterology clinic at "Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição", Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil (group 1 - 385 patients), and monoinfected patients by human immunodeficiency virus based on the review of the charts from the infectious diseases clinic (group 2 - 198 patients). Demographic (gender, race, age) CD4 and CD8 cell count, CD4/CD8 index and human immunodeficiency virus viral load were evaluated. A 5 percent significance level was adopted. RESULTS: There were no difference between the parameters evaluated: mean CD4 count (374,7 ± 215,7 x 357,5 ± 266,0), CD8 (1.512,4 ± 7.274,6 x 986,7 ± 436,4) and HIV viral load (83.744,2 ± 190.292,0 x 104.464,0 ± 486.880,5) respectively in both groups evaluated, as well as the proportion of patients with CD4/CD8 rate below 1. CONCLUSION: Coinfection by both viruses did not have a negative impact in relation to monoinfection by human immunodeficiency virus, and the immune profile was similar in all groups.

Avaliação da imunidade celular em pacientes com carcinoma epidermóide de cabeça e pescoço e sua correlação com nutrição, tamanho tumoral e recidiva / Avaliation of the cellular imunity in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and its correlation with nutrition, tumor size and recurrence

INTRODUÇÃO: a imunidade celular de pacientes com carcinoma epidermóide de cabeça e pescoço tem sido foco de muitos estudos nas últimas décadas. As alterações do sistema imune parecem estar relacionadas com a progressão da doença. A avaliação da imunidade celular desses casos é necessária para programar estratégias de imunoterapia. A deficiência nutricional, o tamanho tumoral e a recidiva são fatores que também podem estar relacionados com a piora imunitária e clínica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se portadores de carcinoma epidermóide de cabeça e pescoço têm imunidade celular e estado nutricional diferente de controles e sua correlação com tamanho tumoral e recidiva. MÉTODOS: foram avaliados 155 pacientes admitidos nos serviços de cirurgia de cabeça e pescoço e cirurgia geral do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, entre 16 de agosto de 2005 a 31 de julho de 2006. Houve 52 controles e 103 casos com diagnóstico de carcinoma epidermóide de trato aerodigestivo alto, subdivididos em 29 casos pré-tratamento, 47 pós-tratamento sem doença e 27 pós-tratamento com doença. Foi realizada entrevista clínica, contendo dados demográficos, presença de tabagismo, etilismo e co-morbidades, e avaliado o índice de Karnofsky. Dados do tumor e tratamento foram anotados. Foi realizada avaliação nutricional antropométrica, através da medida do peso, estatura e índice de massa corpórea (IMC). A avaliação da composição corpórea foi feita através de bioimpedância elétrica, utilizando-se a porcentagem de massa magra em homens e mulheres. Os critérios bioquímicos usados foram concentração plasmática de albumina e contagem total de linfócitos (CTL). A avaliação da imunidade celular foi feita através de testes cutâneos com 3 antígenos (PPD, tricofitina e candidina). O tamanho tumoral também foi medido. A análise estatística foi feita através de média, desvio padrão, ANOVA e Bonferroni para variáveis...

INTRODUCTION: the cellular immunity of patients with head and neck cancer has been studied for many authors at the last decades. The alterations of the immune system seems to be related with the progress of the disease. The avaliation of the cellular immunity at these patients is necessary in order to program strategies of immunotherapy. Malnutrition, tumor size and recurrence are related to a worse immunity and clinical outcome. This study was intended to verify if patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck have different cellular immunity and nutrition from others that do not have cancer, and their correlation with tumor size and recurrence. METHODS: there were 155 patients admitted at Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School, from August, 2005 to July, 2006. There were 52 controls and 103 cases with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, which were divided in cases pretreatment (n=29), posttreatment without evidence of disease (n=47) and with recurrence (n=27). All patients were interviewed. Questions about age, sex, smoking, drinking and comorbidities were asked. The Karnofsky status performance was evaluated. Tumor's site, stage and treatment were noted. Nutritional assessment with anthropometric measures as weight, height and body mass coefficient (BMC) was done. Electrical bioimpedance was used to get men and women thin mass percentage. The level of albumin and total lymphocyte count (TLC) were used as biochemical criterias of nutrition. The cellular immunity was checked by the pattern of response to skin tests with 3 antigens (PPD, tricophitin and candidin). Tumor size was measured. Statistics were performed with median, ANOVA and Bonferroni for numeric variables and with Pearson's chi-square test for the string ones. RESULTS: The medians of BMC, albumin anc TLC were different between cases and controls (p<0,0001), and patients with recurrence had all nutritional criterias lower than the others...

Purificación de antígeno de Candida albicans para pruebas cutáneas: estudio preliminar

La evaluación de la inmunidad celular mediante la respuesta producida por los linfocitos T, que son estimulados por la presencia de un antígeno determinado, es de sumo interés para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades infecciosas que se producen durante el transcurso de quemaduras, lesiones, traumatismos, etcétera, por lo que la obtención de antígenos purificados para su uso en pruebas cutáneas que se emplean para dicha evaluación es de gran importancia. En nuestro trabajo nos dimos a la tarea de desarrollar un método de purificación para la obtención de uno de estos antígenos, a partir de la Candida albicans. El método utilizado fue el descrito por Buckley et al., al cual se le realizaron modificaciones. Se encontró que la metodología era adecuada y reproducible, pues el antígeno obtenido tenía características similares al antígeno de referencia.

The assessment of cellular immunity by means of the response produced by T-lymphocytes stimulated by the presence of a determined antigen, is of great interest in the treatment of several infectious diseases during the course of burns, lesions, traumas, etc., and due to this it is very important to obtain purified antigens for their usage in the skin tests used in such assessment. The authors developed a purification method to obtain one of these antigens, from Candida albicans. They carried out modifications on the method described by Buckley et al., and found that the methodology was adequate and reproducible, since the antigen obtained had similar characteristics to those of the reference antigen.

Defect of NK regulation in HIV-infected patients.

PIP: In Buenos Aires, Argentina, health workers obtained peripheral blood samples from 22 HIV-infected people with either no symptoms or persistent lymphadenopathy to examine natural killer cytotoxicity (NKC) of asymptomatic HIV-infected (HIV+AS) cases and the effect of factors that regulate normal NKC. Researchers compared these results with those of 10 healthy heterosexual controls. Even though NK cells of the HIV+AS cases were present in the same numbers and functioned as well as those in the controls, an inducer of interferon (Concanavalin A or ConA) could not force the cell system in vitro which demonstrated NK defectiveness. NK response to ConA of HIV+AS cases was lower than that of the healthy controls (p.05). On the other hand, the NK response to a prostaglandin antagonist (Indomethacin or IM) matched that of the healthy controls. Cell supernatants from normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells increased normal NK cell function (p.001), but those from HIV+AS cases did not do so. Thus it appeared that the HIV+AS cases were unable to produce sufficient NK enhancer factors. Cell supernatants from HIV+AS reduced normal NKC below baseline (p.05) indicating the presence of NK suppressor factors. The researchers believed products of the arachidonic acid metabolism by the cyclooexgenase pathway, maybe PGE2, may have contributed to NK suppression since IM negated suppressor activity of cell supernatants from HIV+AS subjects on normal NK function. They concluded that reduced production of enhancing factors, additional release of inhibitory factors, and deficiency at the NK effector system are likely to be the underlying causes for NK deficient function in AIDS. They noted that these effects function synergistically.^ieng