[Prospective studies of T4 and T8 lymphocyte subpopulations and beta 2-microglobulin in patients with HIV infection].

Sequential changes of percentage and number of T4 (helper) and T8 (cytotoxic/suppressor) lymphocyte subsets and serum beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2m) level were observed in 23 HIV infected patients for a period of 4 months to 3 years. 10 subjects were asymptomatic HIV carriers, 9 had already AIDS at the beginning of the study and 4 patients developed clinically overt disease during the observation period. T4 lymphocyte number remained in normal range in asymptomatic HIV carriers but in 4 patients its decrease preceded the development of clinical symptoms of infection. A rapid decrease of T4 lymphocyte number was generally observed in AIDS patients. Serum concentration of beta 2m remained at relatively low and constant level in asymptomatic HIV carriers but in 4 cases its increase preceded the appearance of clinical symptoms. In patients with clinically overt disease beta 2m levels were significantly increased and reached the highest values just before death. A correlation between clinical stage of infection and the number of T4 lymphocytes and beta 2 m level was found.