SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULIN PROFILES IN ASYMPTOMATIC HIV-1 SEROPOSITIVE ADULTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH AIDS IN DAR-ES-SALAAM, TANZANIA

Serum levels of immunoglobulin classes and IgG subclasses were determi ned in healthy seronegative (n=50) and in HIV-1 seropositive adults (n =50) from Tanzania, a region with heterosexual HIV-1 transmission patt ern. The mean levels of total IgG, IgGl, IgG3, IgA, IgM, and IgD obtai ned were found to be significantly higher in HIV-1 seropositive sera t han in control sera. The mean IgA, IgM, IgD and IgG3 levels showed an increasing trend with progression from asymptomatic phase to AIDS phas e. The mean levels for total IgG, IgGl and IgG2 remained constant whil e that for IgG4 decreased with progression to AIDS phase. From the fin dings, it is concluded that polyisotypic hypergammaglobulinaemia and s erum IgG subclass changes occur in HIV-1 seropositive individuals in T anzania. The characteristic changes observed for IgD, IgG3 and IgG4 le vels with evolution from asymptomatic to AIDS phases could be of value in monitoring disease progression.