Low CD4(+) T-Cell Levels and B-Cell Apoptosis in Vertically HIV-exposed Noninfected Children and Adolescents

Author(s)

Miyamoto, Maristela ; Pessoa, Silvana D. ; Ono, Erika ; Machado, Daisy M. ; Salomao, Reinaldo ^[1] ; Succi, Regina C. de M. ; Pahwa, Savita ^[2] ; de Moraes-Pinto, Maria Isabel ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Med, Div Infect Dis, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Miami, Miller Sch Med, Dept Microbiol & Immunol & Pediat, Miami, FL 33136 - USA

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Res Lab, Div Pediat Infect Dis, Dept Pediat, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF TROPICAL PEDIATRICS; v. 56, n. 6, p. 427-432, DEC 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 28

Abstract

Lymphocyte subsets, activation markers and apoptosis were assessed in 20 HIV-exposed noninfected (ENI) children born to HIV-infected women who were or not exposed to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs during pregnancy and early infancy. ENI children and adolescents were aged 6-18 years and they were compared to 25 age-matched healthy non-HIV-exposed children and adolescents (Control). ENI individuals presented lower CD4(+) T cells/mm(3) than Control group (control: 1120.3 vs. ENI: 876.3; t-test, p=0.030). ENI individuals had higher B-cell apoptosis than Control group (Control: 36.6%, ARV exposed: 82.3%, ARV nonexposed: 68.5%; Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.05), but no statistical difference was noticed between those exposed and not exposed to ARV. Immune activation in CD4(+) T, CD8(+) T and in B cells was comparable in ENI and in Control children and adolescents. Subtle long-term immune alterations might persist among ENI individuals, but the clinical consequences if any are unknown, and these children require continued monitoring. (AU)