CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE OF HIV DNA IN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR NEUTROPHILS FORM PATIENTS WITH HIV-INFECTION

HIV DNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction technique in pol ymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in 11 of 37 (29.7%) HIV-infected pat ients. A detectable level of HIV DNA in PMNs was more common in sympto matic than asymptomatic HIV infected patients (46.7% and 18.2%, respec tively; p < 0.05). HIV DNA in PMNs was detected most frequently in pat ients with recurrent bacterial pneumonia or Pneumocystis carininii pne umonia. An association between HIV DNA in PMNs and a low CD4/8 ratio a s well as high levels of immunoglobulins in the sera was noted. Detect able HIV DNA was found more frequently in patients with neutropenia th an in those with a normal level of neutrophils in peripheral blood (44 .4% and 28.0%, respectively; p < 0.05). These data suggest that infect ion of PMNs by HIV may be associated with PMN impairment during HIV in fection.