Cytokine profiles in a cohort of long-term survivors of transfusion-acquired HIV-1 infection

Since the identification of HIV-1 in blood products during the mid 1980s, 134 individuals with transfusion-acquired HIV-1 have been uncovered by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service-New South Wales Lookback programme. During the course of tracing, a unique group of recipients was identified with their common donor; all have remained asymptomatic. This group, known as the Sydney Blood Bank Cohort (SBBC), has shared nef/LTR deletions in the HIV-1 genome. Cytokine mRNA levels in members of the SBBC were compared with individuals with sexually-acquired HIV-1 infection and with transfusion-matched HIV-l-negative controls. We found that the level of cytokine mRNA from members of the SBBC was similar to or better than those of some sexually-acquired HIV-l-positive long-term non-progressors (LTNP), including the matched control groups. On the basis of their cytokine profiles, the immune response of the SBBC is similar to that of normal individuals.