Summary
p24 antigen (p24 Ag) is usually not found in patients in the asymptomatic phase of HIV infection, mainly because it is bound to anti-p24 antibodies (p24 Ab), with which it forms immune complexes. Nine asymptomatic patients positive for HIV-1 antibodies (stage II CDC criteria) treated with rα-interferon were followed (7.5+/-0.5 months), and a basal and final sample were tested for p24 Ag immune complexes (p24 Ag-IC), free p24 Ag, p24 Ab, CD4 count, β2-microglobulin, properdin B factor, and C3 and C4 complement fractions. p24 Ag-IC was detected in 55.5% of the samples, whereas free p24 Ag was detected in 5.5%. The finding of no change or an increase in p24 Ag-IC serum levels may be considered a prognostic marker. We believe that p24 Ab cannot be used as a prognostic marker unless p24 Ag-IC detection is simultaneously evaluated.
Zusammenfassung
In der asymptomatischen Phase der HIV-Infektion läßt sich das p24 Antigen (p24 Ag) meist nicht nachweisen; dies ist vor allem darauf zurückzuführen, daß es an anti-p24 Antikörper (p24 Ab) gebunden ist und mit ihnen Immunkomplexe bildet. Bei neun anti-HIV-1 positiven, asymptomatischen Patienten (Stadium II nach CDC Kriterien), die mit r-alpha-Interferon behandelt wurden, wurden Verlaufsbeobachtungen (7,5 +/- 0,5 Monate) durchgeführt. Basis- und Abschlußuntersuchungen auf p24 Ag Immunkomplexe (p24 Ag-IC), freies p24 Ag, p24 Ab, CD4 Zellzahlen, β2-Mikroglobulin, Properdin B Faktor und Komplementfraktionen C3 und C4 wurden dabei vorgenommen. In 55,5% der Proben fand sich p24 Ag-IC, in 5,5% freies p24 Ag. Die Beobachtung gleichbleibender oder ansteigender Werte von p24 Ag-IC im Serum hat möglicherweise prognostische Bedeutung. Unserer Ansicht nach kann der p24 Ab nicht als prognostischer Marker eingesetzt werden, wenn nicht zugleich die Bestimmung von p24 Ag-IC erfolgt.
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Cabezas, T., Quirós, E., Garcia, F. et al. Immune complex p24 antigen: A new prognostic marker in human immunodeficiency virus infection. Infection 22, 4–7 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01780756
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01780756