B-cell dysfunction in HIV-infected children is reflected by
hypergammaglobulinemia and high levels of serum
IgA. Little is known about antibody specificity since only a small portion of serum
IgA appears to be directed against
HIV proteins. In the present study the specificity of
IgA antibodies against food, inhalant, bacterial and fungi
antigens were evaluated in a population of HIV infected children. ELISA method was used for antibody testing. Our results show that in 84.6% of patients
IgA against at least one food
antigen are present.
IgA against inhalant
allergens were present in most of HIV-infected children but in none of controls. As for anti-
tetanus toxoid antigens and anti-fungi
antigens, though present in higher percentage in patients, specific
IgA were found also in healthy children. If a gastrointestinal dysfunction might be supposed as the cause of presence of anti-food
antigen IgA, it is difficult to consider this factor as the cause of presence of specific
IgA directed against different
antigens. It is possible to postulate that an immunologic dysregulation based on an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cells or on higher levels of
IL-5 and/or
IL-6 may lead to a misfunction of B cell and consequently to
hypergammaglobulinemia with high
IgA levels.