Oligoclonal immunoglobulins in the sera of healthy subjects at risk for AIDS

Analysis of serum samples from 68 healthy subjects seropositive for HTLV-III antibodies was performed by high-resolution zone electrophoresis. A high incidence of oligoclonal immunoglobulin bands was detected in the sera of these subjects compared with absence of these bands in the sera of healthy seronegative controls. Identification of the immunoglobulin bands by immunofixation revealed a single heavy chain IgG, single kappa and mixed kappa and lambda light chains. The presence or absence of oligoclonal immunoglobulin bands, determined by zone electrophoresis in serum samples from healthy subjects who have been exposed to HTLV-III, may prove to be a useful biochemical marker for following the course of infection and for determining a prognosis.