Identification and quantification of T lymphocytes and plasma cytokines in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Abstract

The objectives were to identify and quantify subpopulations of T lymphocytes to establish the degree of immunodeficiency, and plasma cytokine TNF-a, IFN-g, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 to determine its relationship to the degree immunodeficiency in patients infected with HIV type 1 (HIV-1). We conducted a cross-sectional study in which 73 patients from Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen Hospital (EsSalud) with diagnosis of HIV type 1 were included, and they were classified according to the absolute CD4+ T lymphocytes (CD4+ TL) count by flow cytometry in 3 groups: group 1, less immunosuppression (> 500 CD4+ TL/µl, n=19); group 2, moderate immunosuppression (200 to 499 CD4+ TL/μl, n=27) and group 3, higher immunosuppression (< 200 CD4+ TL/ μl, n=27). The control group included 24 healthy individuals, HIV negatives (> 500 CD4+ TL/µl). Plasma concentration of TNF-a, IFN-g, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 was determined in each group. Patients of group 1 showed similar levels of IFN-g, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 to those reported for control group. Patients of group 3 showed a higher concentration of IFN-g, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 (p<0.05) in relation to groups 1 and 2, and the control group. No correlation between the count of CD4 + lymphocytes and the high concentration of IFN-γ in patients in group 3 was found.