TRACE-ELEMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH HIV-1 INFECTION

Urine and serum zinc, selenium, copper, iron, magnesium and manganese concentrations were determined in 19 patients with AIDS compared to 25 individuals with asymptomatic HIV-1 infection and 18 healthy controls . No significant differences between groups were found in the urinary levels of the trace elements. There were no significant differences in the serum zinc, magnesium and iron concentrations between control sub jects and patients with AIDS or asymptomatic HIV-1 individuals, wherea s there was a significant decrease in the serum selenium levels in bot h groups of HIV-1 infected patients vs controls. Serum manganese conce ntrations in patients with AIDS were significantly diminished in compa rison with controls and HIV-1 asymptomatic subjects, whereas the serum copper levels were decreased for HIV-1 asymptomatic subjects compared to patients with AIDS. Although the HIV-I infected patients were sele nium-deficient, supplementation of this element might not be advisable .