HIV-INFECTION OF MONOCYTE-DERIVED MACROPHAGES IN-VITRO REDUCES PHAGOCYTOSIS OF CANDIDA-ALBICANS

HIV-1 infection of peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs ) is unrelated to the level of CD4 expression on the surface of the ce ll, is associated with considerable donor variability, causes minimal cytopathology, and results in peak viral antigen production after 2 we eks of infection. Phagocytosis of opsonized Candida albicans by MDMs i nfected in vitro with several strains of HIV was compared with that of uninfected cells from the same donors; the proportion of MDMs contain ing the fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled yeast was determined by flo w cytometry and phase contrast microscopy. The intracellular localizat ion of C. albicans was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Using paired MDMs from nine donors, 81% of uninfected and 53% of HIV-infected MDMs phagocytosed C. albicans. In addition, the number of yeast per cell wa s significantly higher in uninfected MDMs than in HIV-infected cells ( mean 6.1 versus 2.5). These findings may partially explain the high in cidence of mucocutaneous candidiasis in HIV-infected patients with adv anced disease.