HIV patients developing primary CNS lymphoma lack EBV-specific CD4+ T cell function irrespective of absolute CD4+ T cell counts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In chronic HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy-induced normalization of CD4(+) T cell counts (immune reconstitution [IR]) is associated with a decreased incidence of opportunistic diseases. However, some individuals remain at risk for opportunistic diseases despite prolonged normalization of CD4(+) T cell counts. Deficient Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific CD4(+) T cell function may explain the occurrence of EBV-associated opportunistic malignancy-such as primary central nervous system (PCNS) lymphoma-despite recovery of absolute CD4(+) T cell counts.

Methods and findings

Absolute CD4(+) T cell counts and EBV-specific CD4(+) T cell-dependent interferon-gamma production were assessed in six HIV-positive individuals prior to development of PCNS lymphoma ("cases"),

SUBMITTER: Gasser O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1831733 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature