ISSN:
1432-2307
Keywords:
AIDS
;
HIV
;
Langerhans cells
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Seventeen biopsies taken from oral mucosa of HIV infected patients were analysed for the distribution of CD4+/CD8+ T-lymphocytes and Langerhans cells. The results were evaluated statistically. An increase in the absolute number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in HIV infected patients without clinical symptoms, ARC or AIDS was seen in the connective tissue stroma when compared with normal oral mucosa from sero-negative patients. However, the ratio between CD4+/CD8+ cells was decreased due to the disproportionate increase of CD8+ cells. These findings did not show statistical correlation with the clinical status of the infection. In contrast to the increase in absolute number of CD4+/CD8+ cells the number of Langerhans cells was unchanged when compared with the control group. Using four different monoclonal antibodies against virus structural proteins (2xanti p24, gp41, gp120) two of 26 patients showed labelled cells in consecutive sections in the same connective tissue areas. It was assumed that latently infected mononuclear cells invaded the oral mucosa together with uninfected cells of the cellular immune system.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00750575
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