Neutralizing antibodies and serum interferon levels in the different stages of HIV infection.

The sera of patients infected with HIV were investigated for neutralizing antibodies (NA) and interferons. All samples from asymptomatic HIV carriers contained NA in high titres. In the sera of patients with AIDS related complex and AIDS the antibodies were found rarely and in lower titres. An early peak of acid-labile interferon (IFN)-alpha was observed in asymptomatic HIV-infected persons, and a late peak was found in AIDS patients. The data suggest that HIV NA may have beneficial effect in the asymptomatic phase. The presence of acid-labile IFN-alpha may indicate stimulation of IFN system by HIV-infected cells.