Human Antibodies - Volume 30, issue 4

Authors: Looha, Mehdi Azizmohammad | Taraghikhah, Nazanin | Amini, Maedeh | Pormehr, Pegah Salimi | Talaei, Negin | Khodadoost, Mahmood | Gholamzadeh, Saeid | Vafaee, Reza | Mohammadi, Gohar

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association between Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and risk of death among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We aimed to investigate this association using a multicenter study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multicenter study was conducted using the registry database of Coronavirus Control Operations Headquarter from March 21, 2021 to January 18, 2020 in the province of Tehran, Iran. The interest outcome was COVID-19 death among hospitalized patients living with and without HIV. The Cox regression models with robust standard error were used to estimate the association between HIV infection and risk of …COVID-19 death. The subgroup and interaction analysis were also performed in this study. RESULTS: 326052 patients with COVID-19 were included in the study, of whom 127 (0.04%) were living with HIV. COVID-19 patients with HIV were more likely to be female, older, and to have symptoms such as fever, muscular pain, dyspnea and cough. The death proportion due to COVID-19 was 18 (14.17%) and 21595 (6.63%) among HIV and non-HIV patients, respectively. Patients living with HIV had lower mean survival time compared to those without HIV (26.49 vs. 15.31 days, P -value = 0.047). Crude risk of COVID-19 death was higher among HIV patients than in non-HIV group (hazard ratio[HR]: 1.60, 1.08–2.37). Compared to those without HIV, higher risk of COVID-19 death was observed among patients with HIV after adjusting for sex (1.60, 1.08–2.36), comorbidities (1.49, 1.01–2.19), cancer (1.59, 1.08–2.33), and PO2 (1.68, 1.12–2.50). However, the risk of COVID-19 death was similar in patients with and without HIV after adjusting for age (1.46, 0.98–2.16) and ward (1.30, 0.89–1.89). CONCLUSION: We found no strong evidence of association between HIV infection and higher risk of COVID-19 death among hospitalized patients. To determine the true impact of HIV on the risk of COVID-19 death, factors such as age, comorbidities, hospital ward, viral load, CD4 count, and antiretroviral treatment should be considered. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, Cox Model, HIV, mortality, SARS-CoV-2

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-220011

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 165-175, 2022

Authors: Aikpitanyi-Iduitua, Godwin Aigbedo | Ibeh, Isaiah Nnana | Idemudia, Nosakhare Lawrence | Aikpitanyi-Iduitua, Rosemary Osamede | Omoregie, Richard

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection is immune-mediated, and an understanding of HIV immunology will be beneficial in the management of HIV infection OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to measure the levels of TNF-α , IL-6 and IFN-γ in asymptomatic HIV patients and non-HIV subjects, as well as their relationship with CD4 count. METHOD: Blood samples were collected from 173 subjects, consisting of 125 asymptomatic HIV patients (44 HAART-naïve and 81 on HAART) and 48 non-HIV subjects. The IFN-, IL-6, and TNF- levels in …the blood were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the CD4 count of all participants was determined using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Regardless of treatment status, the IFN-γ levels of non-HIV subjects were significantly higher than those of HIV patients (p < 0.001). The opposite was true for IL-6, as the levels of IL-6 in non-HIV subjects were significantly lower than those in HAART-naïve HIV patients (p < 0.001) and those on HAART (p < 0.01). TNF-α levels did not differ between HIV patients and their non-HIV counterparts. Generally, the levels of these cytokines was not affected (p > 0.05) by immunosuppression (measured by CD4 count < 200 cells/μ L) and there was no significant correlation between CD4 count and these cytokines (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, asymptomatic HIV infection decreased IFN-γ , increased IL-6, and had no effect on TNF-α levels, regardless of treatment status. Immunosuppression had no impact on these cytokine levels, and there was no relationship between them and CD4 counts. Show more

Keywords: Cytokines, asymptomatic, HIV patients, CD4 count

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-220014

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 177-182, 2022

Authors: Honar, Naser | Shahramian, Iraj | Imanieh, Mohammad Hadi | Ataollahi, Maryam | Tahani, Masoud | Rakhshaninasab, Shiva | Javadifar, Amin

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: One of the most severe side effects of solid-organ transplantation is posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). People with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), an immunosuppressive disease comparable to HIV, have a higher chance of developing lymphoma when their peripheral blood contains elevated levels of the immunoglobulins kappa and lambda free light chains (FLCs). METHODS: This systematic review’s objective was to monitor associated B lymphoma cells in PTLD patients. In order to find relevant studies published between 1/1/2000 and 1/9/2022, two independent researchers conducted searches (MT, AJ). A literature search of English language publications was conducted using …MEDLINE through PubMed, EMBASETM through Ovid, the Cochrane Library, and Trip. In addition to Magiran and SID, we searched KoreaMed and LILACS for literature published in other languages. sFLC or PTLD, transplant, or Electrophoresis are terms used in the search strategy. RESULTS: A total of 174 studies were selected. After analyzing their correspondence with the required criteria, a final review of five studies was conducted. The manuscript presents current findings on the potential benefits of the clinical applicability of sFLCs in PTLD. While the preliminary results appear promising, the only consistent result is that early-onset PTLD is predicted within the first two years after transplant, a biomarker that could be used to diagnose the condition. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, PTLD has been predicted by using the sFLCs. There have been contradictory results to date. Future research could include assessing the quantity of sFLCs and their quality in transplant recipients. In addition to PTLD and complications after transplantation, sFLCs may provide insight into other diseases. To confirm the validity of sFLCs, more studies are needed. Show more

Keywords: Free light chain, sFLC, PTLD, transplant, electrophoresis

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-220016

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 183-194, 2022