Inverse correlation between age related abnormalities of T‐cell immunity and circulating thymosin α1 levels in haemophilia A

T‐cell immunity and serum levels of thymosin α1, β2‐microglobulin, circulating immune complexes, serum immunoglobulin levels, antibodies to hepatitis surface or core antigen, and to cytomegalovirus, and Epstein‐Barr virus were investigated in 51 patients with haemophilia A ranging in age from 2 to 52 years. All patients had received commercial U.S. lyophilized concentrates of antihaemophilic factor (AHF). The mean helper/cytotoxic‐suppressor (0KT4/0KT8) ratio of 11 pre‐adolescents (1‐6 ±0‐4 SE) was not significantly different from that of age matched normal controls. In contrast, the mean 0KT4/0KT8 ratios of 13 adolescent (1‐2 ±0‐2 SE) and 23 adult (0‐8 ±0‐1 SE) haemophiliacs were significantly reduced. Abnormalities of lymphocyte mitogenic responses were found only in adult haemophiliacs. Nine individuals treated with commercial U.S. prothrombin complex concentrates for antibodies directed against AHF or for haemophilia B had normal mean OKT4/OKT8 values. The mean serum thymosin α1 levels for each age category was similar to that of age matched controls; however, regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between elevated thymosin α1 levels and decreased OKT4/OKT8 ratios in adult haemophiliacs (P= 0‐012). Although the mean serum level of β2‐microglobulin was significantly increased in the adult haemophiliac group, there was no correlation between OKT4/OKT8 ratios and any of the other serologic parameters studied.

[1]  V. Berginer,et al.  [Acquired immunodeficiency in a patient with hemophilia]. , 1986, Harefuah.

[2]  R. Biggar,et al.  Thymosin alpha 1 levels and helper:suppressor ratios in homosexual men. , 1983, The New England journal of medicine.

[3]  A. Goldstein,et al.  ABNORMAL T-LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSFUSIONS OF BLOOD-DERIVED PRODUCTS , 1983, The Lancet.

[4]  T. Seemayer,et al.  Thymic dysplasia in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. , 1983, The New England journal of medicine.

[5]  L. Krupp,et al.  Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in male prisoners. New insights into an emerging syndrome. , 1983, Annals of internal medicine.

[6]  M. Fischl,et al.  Opportunistic infections and Kaposi's sarcoma among Haitians: evidence of a new acquired immunodeficiency state. , 1983, Annals of internal medicine.

[7]  A. Landay,et al.  Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection in a previously healthy patient with classic hemophilia. Clinical, immunologic, and virologic findings. , 1983, Annals of internal medicine.

[8]  C. Horsburgh,et al.  Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in a patient with hemophilia. , 1983, Annals of internal medicine.

[9]  P. Moseley,et al.  T-lymphocyte subpopulation abnormalities in apparently healthy patients with hemophilia. , 1983, Annals of internal medicine.

[10]  R. Rossen,et al.  Immunological characterization of homosexual males. , 1983, Cancer research.

[11]  M. Lederman,et al.  Impaired cell-mediated immunity in patients with classic hemophilia. , 1983, The New England journal of medicine.

[12]  R. Aster,et al.  T-lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with classic hemophilia treated with cryoprecipitate and lyophilized concentrates. , 1983, The New England journal of medicine.

[13]  E. Hersh,et al.  Elevated serum thymosin alpha 1 levels associated with evidence of immune dysregulation in male homosexuals with a history of infectious diseases or Kaposi's sarcoma. , 1983, The New England journal of medicine.

[14]  H. Kornfeld,et al.  T-lymphocyte subpopulations in homosexual men. , 1982, The New England journal of medicine.

[15]  Prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): report of inter-agency recommendations. , 1983, MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report.

[16]  J L Marx,et al.  New disease baffles medical community. , 1982, Science.

[17]  R. Winchester,et al.  Opportunistic infections and immune deficiency in homosexual men. , 1982, Annals of internal medicine.

[18]  A. Goldstein,et al.  Immunochemical studies on thymosin: radioimmunoassay of thymosin alpha 1. , 1982, Journal of immunology.

[19]  T. Phillips,et al.  The Significance of Circulating Immune Complexes in Patients with Malignant Melanoma , 1982 .

[20]  M. Gottlieb,et al.  Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and mucosal candidiasis in previously healthy homosexual men: evidence of a new acquired cellular immunodeficiency. , 1981, The New England journal of medicine.

[21]  H. Masur,et al.  An outbreak of community-acquired Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: initial manifestation of cellular immune dysfunction. , 1981, The New England journal of medicine.