Predictive value of the expression of CD38 and of HLA-DR on T cells in HIVinfection - a preliminary report

To assess the clinical value of the expression of CD38 and of HLA-DR on T c ells the subpopulations CD4/CD8(bright)/HLA-DR and CD4/CD8(bright)/CD38 wer e studied in 848 HIV+ patients at different stages of disease, 397 observed sequentially. The fraction of CD38+ and of HLA-DR+ T cells and its mean fl uorescence intensity (MFI) showed globally a significant correlation with w ell known markers of disease: clinical stage, CD4 number and viral load. In agreement with these correlations, increased baseline values of the fracti on of CD38+ cells or of its MFI in CD8 and CD4 cells, and of the fraction o f HLA-DR+ cells or of its MFI in CD4 (but not in CD8) cells, are all very s ignificantly associated with a faster disease progression, what confirms th eir prognostic value. In adition to previous reports, we show that both the fraction CD38+ CD8 and its MFI and, as well, the expression of CD38 on CD4 have prognostic value.