[Affinity of anti-HIV antibodies in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV infection].

A novel method based on the dose-response curve of antibodies was used for the assessment of the affinity of anti-HIV antibodies in 15 males with asymptomatic or symptomatic HIV infection. The subjects were followed up for a period of 1 to 5 years. No significant correlation between antibody affinity and the clinical stage of infection was observed, however, the computed affinity values increased slightly in most of the asymptomatic HIV carriers and remained relatively constant in AIDS patients. A distinct decrease of anti-HIV affinity was observed in 2 patients with advanced AIDS.