EARLY IMPAIRMENT OF GUT MUCOSAL IMMUNITY IN HIV-1-INFECTED CHILDREN

This study was performed in 27 HIV-1(+) children to characterize the I gA hyperglobulinaemia observed in the serum during the course of HIV-1 infection. By contrast with serum IgG, which increased very early, Ig A elevation was related to the decrease of CD4(+) cell percentage. It was demonstrated that IgA1 subclass increased selectively. Secretory I gA (SIgA) and IgA and IgG activity to gliadin, bovine serum albumin (B SA) and at a lower level to casein could be detected in the serum at t he early stages of HIV infection, but SIgA levels and IgA activity to gliadin further increased during the course of immunodeficiency. By co ntrast, IgA and IgG activity to tetanus toroid did not change. These d ata demonstrate that the hyper IgA, closely related to the degree of i mmunodeficiency, could be due in part to a disturbance of the gut muco sal immune system. Moreover, impaired intestinal immunity seems to app ear very early, and to progress during the course of paediatric HIV-1 infection.