DISTRIBUTION OF IMMUNOCOMPETENT CELLS IN ORAL KAPOSIS-SARCOMA (AIDS)

Fifteen biopsy specimens of oral AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) , 19 biopsy specimens of uninvolved oral mucosa of HIV-seropositive pa tients (HIV+) and 22 biopsy specimens of oral mucosa of HIV-seronegati ve persons (HIV-) were analysed for the distribution of CD4+ and CD8lymphocytes and HLA-DR+ cells. The results were statistically evaluate d. According to their clinical appearance KS were classified as flat l esions (n=10) or exophytic tumours (n=5). KS lesions of both clinical groups as well as uninvolved mucosa of HIV+ patients revealed infiltra tion with CD4+ cells. In flat, patch-like KS there was a marked increa se of CD8+ cells compared to HIV- mucosa, while their numbers decrease d in later tumour stages. In both, flat and exophytic KS the number of HLA-DR+ cells was significantly higher than in uninvolved mucosa of H IV+ and HIV- persons. These findings may reflect the local influence o f KS growth factors on the inflammatory reaction in the setting of sys temic immunosuppression.