Abstract
5 children with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and 1 with AIDS related complex (ARC) were assessed with regard to specific antibody function. All patients were immunized with bacteriophage 0X174, a T cell dependent antigen. 5 children were immunized with tetanus toxoid, and 4 with pneumococcal vaccine. Serum immunoglobulins and mitogenic responses were measured in all children. Responses to bacteriophage 0X174 showed blunted primary responses and markedly decreased secondary responses, with absent class switch (IgM-IgG) in 5 of 6 patients. Antibody responses to tetanus toxoid and pneumococcal vaccine were diminished as well. 5 children had elevation of at least one immunoglobulin class. In vitro lymphocyte mitogenic responses, especially to staphylococcal cowan A and pokeweed, were diminished. Pediatric AIDS patients have significant abnormalities in humoral immunity. Both T and B cell dysfunction play a role.
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Bernstein, L., Ochs, H., Wedgwood, R. et al. 958 ABNORMALITIES OF HUMORAL RESPONSES IN PEDIATRIC AIDS. Pediatr Res 19, 270 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00988
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00988