Local impairment of immunoreactivity in HIV-infected women with HPV-related squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the local immune response in two groups of patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial squamous lesions (SIL): one with HIV infection and the other with HPV infection alone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

16 conization specimens (8 from HIV-infected and 8 from non-HIV-infected patients) of HPV-related, high-grade SIL were selected. The specimens from non-HIV patients were considered as controls. The total number of Langerhans cells, CD4 and CD8 cells present in 10 field areas (3.120 mm2) was recorded in each case. In HIV patients CD4 and CD8 peripheral counts were performed immediately before surgery.

RESULTS

The CD4/CD8 ratio never exceeded 0.71, whereas the lowest ratio in controls was 0.81: this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0009). The mean number of Langerhans cells was markedly reduced in the high-grade SILs in the HIV patients in comparison with controls (P = 0.001). The number of CD4 cells and the CD4/CD8 ratio correlated with the peripheral CD4 count (P = 0.001 and 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study a marked local impairment of cervical immunoreactivity was observed, which may play a major role in the progression of these lesions in HIV-infected women.