PATHOGENETIC ROLE OF PHAGOCYTIC ABNORMALITIES IN HUMAN VIRUS IMMUNODEFICIENCY INFECTION - POSSIBLE THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES - A REVIEW

Polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes/macrophages (M/M) represen t the first defence line against invading microorganisms. Both phagocy tic cell functions are precociously compromised in human immunodeficie ncy virus (HIV)-infected subjects, thus leading to infectious and neur ological complications in the late stages of disease. Among intracellu lar pathogens, emerging bacteria such as Bartonella henselae and Rhodo coccus equi can cause peculiar clinical pictures, i.e. the bacillary p arenchimal angiomatosis and a classical pyogranulomatous broncopneumon ia, respectively. On the other hand, overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines (CKs) and, in particular, tumor necrosis factor-alpha under HIV or lipopolysaccharide stimulation may cause neural damage in term s of demyelination and subsequent development of acquired immunodefici ency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex. Some therapeutical attempts hav e been made with colony stimulating factors in order to increase the n umber and potentiate the function of PMN and M/M. On the other hand, t he use of drugs able to reduce exaggerated release of CKs by M/M is su ggested in AIDS patients in order to prevent a further aggravation of the clinical condition.