Association between anti-CD4 antibodies and a decline in CD4+ lymphocytes in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 seroconverters.

Serum specimens (n = 161) from 31 persons before and after human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) seroconversion were tested for anti-CD4 antibodies. These antibodies were detected by both ELISA and Western blot in 55% (17/31) of subjects when HIV-1 seroconversion was detected and in 26% (8/31) from sera obtained 6-24 months earlier. A decrease in CD4+ cell number was associated more with development of anti-CD4 antibodies or peak anti-CD4 antibody activity than with development of anti-HIV-1 antibodies.

Anti-CD4 antibodies are associated with HIV-1 seroconversion and may be detectable before anti-HIV-1 antibodies. The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.

We examined the sera from 14 HIV-1 seroconverters for the presence of autoantibodies against CD4. Anti-CD4 antibodies were detected in the serum of 11 of 13 HIV-1-infected persons at the time of HIV-1 seroconversion. In 6 of 14 persons from whom a serum was obtained prior to HIV-1 seroconversion, anti-CD4 antibodies were found 90 to 540 days before antibodies to HIV-1 were detectable.

Effects of two radiocontrast dyes on the detection of oligoclonal gamma globulins by high resolution agarose gel electrophoresis.

The authors examined two radiocontrast dyes (iophendylate and metrizamide) for their effects on a high resolution agarose electrophoresis procedure for the detection of oligoclonal gamma globulins. Each dye was incubated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and evaluated for effects on sample concentration and on protein migration. Iophendylate interfered with sample concentration but could be removed from CSF by centrifugation.