IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A AND HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-1 INFECTION IN PARENTERAL DRUG-ABUSERS

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness of serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) as a prognostic marker of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in parenteral drug abusers (PDA). METHODS: The serum IgA levels and HIV-1 antibodies were assessed in 374 PDAs admitted for infective diseases or for treatment of addiction. RESULTS: The prevalence of HIV infection was 70 %; the frequency of serum IgA above the upper normal limit (440 mg/dl) was 8 % in seronegative and 4 % in seropositive subjects (NS). The IgA levels in the 274 seropositive subjects, classified for infective stages, were significantly higher in those fulfilling the criteria for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS related complex (group IV) than in asymptomatic subjects (group II) or in those with generalized lymphadenopathy (group III) (p < 0,01). CONCLUSIONS: Serum IgA levels in PDAs with HIV infection may be a useful marker of progression to AIDS.