High numbers of T cells in gingiva from patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

A quantitative, immunohistologic evaluation of CD3⁺, CD4⁺and CD8⁺ cells was carried out on gingival biopsies from 25 HIV-infected persons with gingivitis or periodontitis and 13 HIV-seronegative persons with periodontitis. CD3⁺ T cells were found in all biopsies. CD8⁺ cells were significantly more numerous and the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio was significantly decreased in the gingival connective tissue of the HIV⁺ patients (P < 0.05). The number of CD4⁺ lymphocytes subjacent to the pocket epithelium was moderately lower in the HIVH patients as compared to the HIV⁺ patients (P < 0.05). HIV⁺ patients with a history of necrotizing periodontal disease had fewer CD4⁺ cells subjacent to the oral gingival epithelium than patients without such disease (P < 0.05). The general HIV-related changes in T lymphocyte numbers were therefore reflected in inflamed gingival tissues. HIV⁺ patients had, however, significantly higher CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratios in gingiva than in peripheral blood (P < 0.05), indicating that CD4⁺ T cells are actively recruited to gingiva, even in cases of extreme CD4⁺ T lymphocytopenia.