Detection, localization, and quantitation of HIV-associated antigens in intestinal biopsies from patients with HIV

• Published in: The American journal of pathology Vol. 139; no. 4; pp. 823 - 830
• Main Authors: Kotler, DP, Reka, S, Borcich, A, Cronin, WJ
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD ASIP 01.10.1991; American Society for Investigative Pathology
• Subjects: AIDS/HIV; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; DNA, Viral - analysis; DNA, Viral - genetics; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; HIV Antigens - analysis; HIV Antigens - immunology; HIV Infections - immunology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Immunopathology; Intestinal Mucosa - immunology; Intestinal Mucosa - pathology; Intestines - immunology; Intestines - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA Probes; RNA, Viral - analysis; RNA, Viral - genetics; Human; Immunopathology; In situ; Gut; Retroviridae; Exploration; Hybridization; Enzyme immunoassay; Infection; Virus; Antigen; Polymerase chain reaction; Viral disease; Lentivirinae; Mucosa disease; Human immunodeficiency virus; Localization; ELISA assay; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0002-9440; 1525-2191

This study determined the prevalence, cellular localization, and content of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated antigens in intestinal mucosa from HIV-infected subjects. Studies were performed in 168 subjects with gastrointestinal, nutritional, or proctologic complaints, and HIV-seronegative controls. The polymerase chain-reaction technique, which detects viral DNA, was used in 20 subjects and was positive in 70%. In situ hybridization studies, using RNA probes, were employed in 48 cases and were positive in 31%. Immunohistologic studies using monoclonal antibodies to HIV p24 antigen were employed in 73 cases and were positive in 67%. Quantitative ELISA assays for tissue p24 content were performed in 168 cases and was positive in 68%. Evidence of HIV was found throughout the intestine and in different disease stages. The quantitative ELISA studies correlated significantly with in situ hybridization, implying a possible association between the presence of viral RNA and protein expression. The authors conclude that HIV is present in intestinal mucosa from most, if not all HIV-infected subjects. The relationship to intestinal disease currently is unclear.