Inflammatory reaction markers and nutritional markers in HIV infection

: A protein profile has been monitored during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The investigation concerned 60 patients suffering from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), 24 asymptomatic HIV-antibody seropositive subjects and 22 healthy HIV-antibody seronegative, individuals voluntary blood donors. Data show that retinol-binding protein, thyroxin-binding prealbumin and beta 2-microglobulin are already modified in HIV infection (p less than 0.05) whereas the other protein alteration becomes apparent during AIDS. These studies demonstrate that severe, but progressive malnutrition occurs in patients with AIDS. On the other hand nutritional abnormalities can be shown to have a deleterious effect upon the disease course as revealed by increasing alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and C-reactive protein levels for 60 to 70% of patients.