High versus low basal cortisol secretion in asymptomatic, medication-free HIV-infected men: Differential effects of severe life stress on parameters of immune status

The authors hypothesized that HIV-infected men with high basal cortisol sec retion would exhibit greater stress-related reductions in the ratio of Th1/ Th2 cell-derived cytokines and numbers of CD8(+) T and NK lymphocytes than low basal cortisol secretors. A semistructured interview was used to assess life stress during the preceding 6 months of 94 HIV-infected men classifie d as high and low cortisol secretors (n = 47/group). Increased levels of se vere life stress were highly correlated with lower numbers of CD8(+) T cell s, CD16(+) and CD56(+) NK cells, CD57(+) cells, and higher DHEA-S concentra tions in the high cortisol group. Conversely, no significant correlations w ere found in the low cortisol group. No correlations were found between str ess and CD4(+) Thelper/ inducer cell counts, cytokine production, or testos terone levels in either participating group. These data suggest that severe stress in combination with high glucocorticoid activity may modify select parameters of immune status in HIV-infected men.