IMMUNOGLOBULIN-E LEVELS IN RELATIONSHIP TO HIV-1 DISEASE, ROUTE OF INFECTION, AND VITAMIN-E STATUS

Our recent studies have demonstrated that in early HIV-1 infection, el evation of plasma immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels precedes the decline o f CD4 cell count and is influenced by vitamin E status. In order to fu rther investigate the role of IgE elevation in HIV-1 infection, we det ermined IgE levels in HIV-1-seropositive and -seronegative intravenous drug users (IDUs) (n = 38), in relationship to cellular and humoral i mmune function, liver enzymes, and vitamin E status. To examine the po ssible impact of the route of HIV-1 infection on IgE levels, compariso ns between the cohorts of the HIV-1-seropositive and -seronegative IDU s and homosexual men (n = 45) were also conducted. All HIV-1-seroposit ive participants had significantly higher (P = 0.003) IgE levels than the HIV-1-seronegative subjects. The HIV-1-seropositive IDUs, moreover , demonstrated significantly higher (P = 0.01) IgE levels than HIV-1-s eropositive homosexual men, despite similar CD4 cell counts. Stepwise regression analysis was used to evaluate the possible variables contri buting to the IgE variation. HIV-1 status (P = 0.0009), intravenous dr ug use (P = 0.014), CD8 cell counts (P = 0.0001), plasma level of vita min E (P = 0.006), and alcohol intake (P = 0.047) were significant, ac counting for 71% of the IgE elevation. These findings suggest that IgE may serve as a sensitive marker to reflect the evolution of HIV-1 dis ease in individuals from different risk groups.