Immunoperoxidase evaluation of lymph nodes from acquired immune deficiency patients.

Immunoperoxidase evaluation of cryostat sections from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or prodromal nodes indicated that the majority (75%) had T8 dominance as contrasted to reactive hyperplasia nodes of unknown origin which had 80% T4 dominance. The cells in the AIDS nodes in the interfollicular and medullary sinuses areas marked intensely for Ia as opposed to sparse scattering in the comparative group. Finally, the follicles in the study group as opposed to the comparative group demonstrated hypervariability both in size and shape as outlined by a thin mantle zone of BA-1 positive cells. On the basis of the above three immunological criteria it is considered as highly likely that an AIDS node can be distinguished as such as opposed to the conventional characterization of 'reactive hyperplasia'.