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Background & objectives: Individuals infected with HIV-1 have higher levels of chemokine producing cells compared to uninfected individuals. It is important to know the changes in chemokine levels associated with rate of progression of disease. There is a paucity of information on the plasma chemokines in HIV-1 infected individuals from India. We therefore carried out this study to estimate the levels of three chemokines namely macrophage inflammatory protein alpha (MIP1α), MIP1β and RANTES, in relation to disease status in HIV-1 infected individuals and compared with uninfected individuals. Methods: RANTES and MIP1α were estimated using ELISA in 114 HIV-1 infected and 30 controls, whereas MIP1β was estimated in 101 HIV infected individuals only and 30 controls. The values were compared to the T cell subsets, HIV-1 viral loads and plasma cytokines (interferon gamma and interleukin-10). Results: Compared to controls the mean MIP1α and RANTES level among the HIV-1 infected individuals was higher while MIP1β level was lower in HIV infected individuals except CDC C groups. There was a significant positive correlation for MIP1á with HIV-1 viral load and IFNγ, for MIP1α with viral load and IL10. There was a significant negative correlation between MIP1 a with CD4 count and CD4: CD8 ratio and MIP1 b with CD4 count and CD8 count. There was a negative correlation between RANTES values and CD8 per cent. Interpretation & conclusions: In conclusion, our study showed a significantly higher level of b chemokines in south Indian HIV-1 infected individuals compared to controls. These b chemokines may have the inhibitory effect on HIV-1 only during the initial period and with the progression of disease this inhibitory effect wanes as shown by the positive correlation of b chemokines with HIV-1 viral load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]