       Document 1180
 DOCN  M94A1180
 TI    Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in different risk groups.
 DT    9412
 AU    Carcamo C; Miguez MJ; Shor-Posner G; Lu Y; Quesada J; Page BJ; Fletcher
       MA; Baum MK; Department of Epidemiology and Immunology, University of
       Miami; School of Medicine, FL.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):190 (abstract no. PB0775). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371395
 AB    OBJECTIVE: IgE levels, which appear to have an important role in
       immunohomeostasis, were determined in asymptomatic HIV+ (n = 21) and
       HIV- (n = 17) intravenous drug users (IDUs), in relationship to immune
       function and nutritional status, and compared to measurements obtained
       in asymptomatic HIV+ (n = 20) and HIV- (n = 25) homosexual men. METHODS:
       IgE levels were assessed with the Microplate Total IgE, a two-site
       immunoradiometric technique, supplied by Kallestad. Lymphocyte surface
       markers (CD4 and CD8) were determined by flow cytometry, using two color
       direct immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies (Coulter Immunology
       Miami, FL). Total plasma vitamin E was determined by high performance
       liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Stepwise regression analysis revealed
       that the level of IgE was significantly associated with HIV-1 status (p
       = 0.0009), intravenous drug use (p = 0.014), plasma level of vitamin E
       (p = 0.006), and CD8 cell count (p = 0.0001). HIV+ IDUs exhibited
       significantly higher IgE levels (444.3 +/- 352.4) than HIV-1 +
       homosexual men (186.4 +/- 251.3, p < 0.01), with similar CD4 cell
       counts. Plasma levels of vitamin E were significantly diminished in HIV+
       IDUs (5.1 +/- 1.7 micrograms/ml), and HIV-IDUs (5.4 +/- 1.9), relative
       to the seropositive and seronegative homosexual men (9.1 +/- 6.0, p <
       0.0001) and (10.2 +/- 5.1, p < 0.002), respectively. DISCUSSION AND
       CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous drug use and vitamin E status appear to
       strongly influence plasma levels of IgE. The significant association
       between IgE and HIV-1 status and CD8 cell count, suggests that IgE
       levels may be a useful marker to monitor HIV-1 disease in different risk
       groups.
 DE    Biological Markers/BLOOD  Comparative Study  *Homosexuality  Human  HIV
       Seronegativity/IMMUNOLOGY  HIV Seropositivity/BLOOD/*IMMUNOLOGY
       IgE/*BLOOD  Leukocyte Count  Male  Regression Analysis  Risk Factors
       *Risk-Taking  Substance Abuse, Intravenous/BLOOD/*IMMUNOLOGY
       T-Lymphocytes  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

