The immunology of HIV infection

A variety of immunologic abnormalities have been reported in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The most characteristic is a decrease in the number and function of CD4 helper/inducer T lymphocytes. Patients with HIV infection also have abnormalities in the number and activity of CD8 suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes, defective soluble antigen recognition, polyclonal B cell activation, and decreased cytotoxicity. The CD4 cell defect is the most critical abnormality in the immunopathogenesis of HIV disease. Understanding the relationship of this defect to the appearance of clinical problems can contribute to the management of patients with HIV infection.