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Clinical and Experimental Immunology logoLink to Clinical and Experimental Immunology
. 1986 Jun;64(3):451–456.

Immunological abnormalities in intravenous drug abusers and relationship to the prolonged generalized lymphadenopathy syndrome in Italy

P De Paoli, M Reitano, S Battistin, Paola Martelli, D Villalata, Franca Bergamo, U Tirelli, A Carbone, Silvana Diodato, R Bosio, G Santini
PMCID: PMC1542450  PMID: 3024880

Abstract

The prolonged generalized lymphadenopathy syndrome (PGL) has been considered a prodromal condition to the Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), but the clinical, virological and immunological characteristics of patients who will develop AIDS are not known. We report on the immunological profile of intravenous drug abusers with or without PGL in Northeastern Italy. We found a reduction of lymphocyte-absolute numbers with reversal of the T4/T8 ratio and decreased Leu-11b+ cells. The response to mitogens and natural killer activity are compromised in PGL patients. Neutrophil function is reduced both in drug abusers with or without lymphadenopathy. The serological investigations revealed a high prevalence of antibodies against HTLV III and the Epstein-Barr viruses.

The recognition of immune dysfunction in the intravenous drug abusers appears to be important since these patients develop AIDS and these abnormalities may precede AIDS.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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