[Early disturbance of the circadian rhythm of T and B lymphocytes in human immunodeficiency virus infection].

Circadian rhythms in circulating B and T (CD3, CD4, CD8) lymphocyte subsets and in plasma cortisol were studied in 13 HIV-infected men and 14 healthy male controls. The circadian maximum (acrophase) of plasma cortisol was similar in both groups, approximately 8.00 A.M., however, a statistically significant increase was found in the 24 hour-mean value (mesor) of infected patients as compared to healthy controls. Circadian rhythms were statistically validated in all lymphocyte subsets of healthy controls, whereas, large alterations were found in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), already in asymptomatic infected individuals. The alterations concern the mesor and the amplitude for B and CD4 lymphocytes and all cycle parameters for CD3 and CD8 lymphocytes.