AIDS: immunologic abnormalities following human immunodeficiency virus infection

Following human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, there is an ordered progression of immunologic abnormalities that results from the selective infection of the T4 helper/inducer subset of T lymphocytes. The loss of helper T-cell function disrupts both the cellular and humoral aspects of the immune response. The T lymphocytes decrease in both number and function. The peripheral blood B lymphocytes demonstrate marked polyclonal activation and are unable to mount a serologic response to new antigens. The infected monocytes and macrophages serve as reservoirs for HIV and act as vehicles that transport the virus to target organs. Decreased activity of natural killer cells may promote progression of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Factors that suppress the reaction of T and B lymphocytes to stimuli have been identified in the sera of AIDS patients. In conclusion, HIV infection causes progressive dysfunction and destruction of the entire immune system, resulting in severe opportunistic infections, neoplasms, and shortened survival of AIDS patients.