Interrelations of lymphocyte subset values, human immunodeficiency virus antibodies, and HIV antigen levels of homosexual males in San Francisco.

Serum and leukocytes from a cohort of homosexual males were analyzed to determine the interrelationships of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), serum HIV antigen levels, and phenotypical differences in lymphocyte subpopulations of HIV antibody-positive (HIV Ab+) and HIV antibody-negative (HIV Ab-) homosexual males. Significant reductions were observed in the percentages of B lymphocytes, CD4+ and CD4+ kappa lambda- T lymphocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ ratios of HIV Ab+ homosexual males in comparison to HIV Ab- homosexual males. Significant increases were observed in the percentages of CD8+, CD8+ CD11b-, CD8+ kappa lambda-, CD8+ DR+, CD8+Leu7+, and Leu7+ lymphocytes of HIV Ab+ study subjects. Statistical analysis revealed that among the immunological variables tested, decreases in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio and in the percentage of CD4+ kappa lambda- lymphocytes showed the strongest associations with HIV-sero-positivity in asymptomatic homosexual males. Only 44 (16.5%) of 267 HIV Ab+ homosexual males had detectable levels of HIV antigen (HIV Ag) in their serum. The percentages of CD4+ or CD4+ kappa lambda- lymphocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ ratios of HIV Ab+ males differed significantly between HIV Ag-positive (HIV Ag+) and--negative (HIV Ag-) homosexual males. These variables, however, did not correlate well with HIV Ag levels,indicating that no clear associations can be drawn between levels of HIV antigen and lymphocyte subset abnormalities of HIV-infected individuals.