ELEVATED SERUM MACROPHAGE INHIBITORY FACTOR-RELATED PROTEIN (MRP)-8 14 LEVELS IN ADVANCED HIV-INFECTION AND DURING DISEASE EXACERBATION/

To assess the value of MRP 8, MRP 14, and MRP 8/14 serum concentration s as markers of disease progression in HIV infection and as markers of intercurrent infections. Design: We measured MRP 8, MRP 14, and MRP 8 /14 serum concentrations in 184 HIV-infected patients in various stage s of disease with or without disease exacerbation and in 50 healthy co ntrol subjects. In clinically stable HIV-infection correlations of MRP levels with stage of HN disease, CD4 counts, p24 antigen, and beta-2 microglobulin levels were studied. In patients with intercurrent illne sses, correlations of MRP levels with type of disease exacerbation and with CRP were calculated and compared with those found in stable HIV infection. Results: MRP 8/14 levels were significantly elevated and MR P 8 levels slightly decreased in stable HN infection compared with HIV -negative controls. The CD4 cell count and MRP 8/14 levels correlated significantly in patients with AIDS. Despite higher values of MRP 8/14 during advanced disease, these were not significant predictors of pro gression to death. In patients with acute infections, MRP 8/14 levels were significantly elevated, compared with patients with illnesses of noninfectious origin. Levels of MRP 8/14 associated with acute infecti ons were significantly higher in patients with AIDS than in patients d uring earlier stages of HIV infection. Conclusions: Both stable HIV in fection and advanced immunodeficiency are associated with an elevation of the MRP 8/14 complex and probably with a decline of MRP 8 serum le vels. MRP 8/14 is preserved as a marker of acute infection in immuneco mpromised patients.