thymosin and Pneumonia--Pneumocystis

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Antibodies, Viral; B-Lymphocytes; beta 2-Microglobulin; Biopterins; Candidiasis, Oral; Drug Combinations; Humans; Interferon Type I; Lymphocyte Activation; Neopterin; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Retroviridae; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Sulfamethoxazole; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Thymalfasin; Thymosin; Trimethoprim; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

The adnormal levels of thymosin alpha 1 in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, depressed T-cell function, thymus pathology, and the restoration of T-cell function by thymosin fraction 5 (TF5) lend support to the hypothesis that the thymus plays a central role in AIDS. The thymosin alpha 1 assay may provide a means of identifying symptomatic carriers of AIDS. This paper summarizes the current status of diagnostic studies with thymosin alpha 1 in AIDS and reports the 1st clinical trial with thymosin in subjects with AIDS-like immune dysfunction. Serum samples from intravenous drug abusers, homosexuals, and Haitians with AIDS have revealed thymosin alpha 1 levels at least 2 standard deviations from the mean of controls without AIDS. Preliminary data from a pilot study in homosexuals and hemophiliacs at high risk for AIDS suggest that the administration of TF5 may be effective in reconstituting some T-cell mediated specific immune functions, including cell-medicated lympholysis (CML) and the mixed lymphocyte response (MLR), and enhancing the lectin-induced production of T-cell growth factor. On the other hand, TF5 has failed to have any effects on the T4/T8 ratio, absolute lymphocyte counts, or natural killer cell activity.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Aged; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Hemophilia A; Homosexuality; Humans; Interleukin-2; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Risk; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Thymalfasin; Thymosin

A 27-year-old previously healthy man with hemophilia presented with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The patient had several episodes of oral candidiasis followed by disseminated infection with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare. He was not homosexual nor did he take illicit drugs, but he had been self-administering two to four monthly infusions of factor VIII concentrate for 7 years. In-vitro lymphocyte studies showed findings consistent with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome that had previously been reported only in homosexual men, drug addicts, and Haitian refugees. The cause of this syndrome is unknown, but the possibility that it is associated with a transmissible agent acquired through the use of blood products such as factor VIII concentrate must be considered.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Antibodies, Viral; Clofazimine; Cytomegalovirus; Hemophilia A; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Mycobacterium avium; Mycobacterium Infections; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Thymosin; Toxoplasma; Transfer Factor