IMPROVEMENT IN CD4 LYMPHOCYTE COUNT IN HIV-REITERS SYNDROME AFTER TREATMENT WITH SULFASALAZINE

Objective. To describe an observed improvement in CD4 lymphocytes in p atients with Reiter's syndrome (RS) and human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) infection, after treatment with sulfasalazine (SFSZ). Methods. Ca se series. We analyzed CD4 lymphocyte counts in 4 consecutive patients with RS and HIV disease before and after treatment with SFSZ. Results . CD4+ lymphocyte counts increased from a mean of 315 +/- 179 before t reatment to 542 +/- 231 x 10(6)/1 on followup (p < 0.03), in the absen ce of antiretroviral therapy. The significance of these observations i s discussed. Conclusion. Treatment of RS with SFSZ in HIV disease appe ars to be associated with an improvement in CD4 count.