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Tlymphocyte subsets in homosexual men from Copenhagen |
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| Authors: | JAN GERSTOFT CARSTEN S. PETERSEN SUSANNE KROON SUSANNE ULLMAN KIRSTEN BENTSEN EBBE DICKMEISS JENS OLE NIELSEN HANS MOGENS KERZEL ANDERSEN IB LORENZEN |
| Affiliation: | Rubella Department, Statens Seruminstitut, Copenhagen, Department of Medicine, Divisions of Rheumatology and Hepatology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Department of Dermatology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Department of Infectious Diseases and Department of Dermatology, Rigshospital, University of Copenhagen, Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Aarhus, Denmark |
| Abstract: | Abstract. Screening of sixty-six asymptomatic homosexual men from Copenhagen revealed significantly lower Leu-3a/Leu-2a ratios as compared to controls. Ten (15%) of the homosexuals had a ratio ≤ 1·0. The low Leu-3a/Leu-2a ratios were the result of an increase in the absolute number of Leu-2a cells. Homosexuals with many partners and those who had been sexual partners of patients with the acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) had significantly lower ratios than those without these features. Cytomegalovirus was isolated from urine and/or sputum of 15% and this was associated with a Leu-3a/Leu-2a ratio ≤ 1·0. The observed immunological abnormalities could either represent latent infection with the putative AIDS agent or alternatively be caused by repeated infections and/or exposure to allogenic spermatocytes or lymphocytes. |
| Keywords: | T lymphocytes AIDS cytomegalovirus homosexuality |