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Antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type III and development of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in homosexual men presenting with immune thrombocytopenia.
- Source :
-
Annals of internal medicine [Ann Intern Med] 1986 Jan; Vol. 104 (1), pp. 47-50. - Publication Year :
- 1986
-
Abstract
- In 35 homosexual men with isolated thrombocytopenia at initial presentation, who were evaluated and treated between 1982 and 1984, hematologic studies showed immune destruction. In contrast to findings in other autoimmune conditions, T-lymphocyte subsets in these patients were reversed, with a mean helper to suppressor ratio of 0.4 and with an absolute depletion of helper cells to 390/mm3. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detected antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type III in 21 of 25 patients tested; Western blot analysis confirmed seropositivity in the other 4 patients, who had borderline findings. Although 19 of 24 patients treated with steroids responded, only 2 achieved sustained normal platelet counts. Ten of fifteen patients who had splenectomy achieved remissions. Three patients treated with steroids or splenectomy developed diagnoses compatible with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome 16 to 34 months after their initial presentation with thrombocytopenia. These findings indicate that immune thrombocytopenia is part of the clinical spectrum of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prednisone therapeutic use
Splenectomy
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
Thrombocytopenia complications
Thrombocytopenia therapy
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome etiology
Antibodies, Viral analysis
Deltaretrovirus immunology
Homosexuality
Immune System Diseases complications
Thrombocytopenia immunology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0003-4819
- Volume :
- 104
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Annals of internal medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 3000249
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-104-1-47