OBJECTIVE: To detect the presence of autoantibodies against cellular components in HIV-1 infected individuals. METHODS: Serum samples from 87 patients with HIV-1 infection and from 17 healthy HIV-seronegative controls were tested using sensitive and specific techniques (immunoblot, RNA precipitation), as well as counterimmunoelectrophoresis and indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Four sera (4.6%) showed reactivity in immunoblot against various unidentified cytoplasmic autoantigens. The four positive sera were obtained from patients belonging in equal numbers to the non-AIDS and AIDS groups. CONCLUSION: It appears that the production of antibodies against cellular components rarely occurs during the clinical course of HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE: To detect the presence of autoantibodies against cellular components in HIV-1 infected individuals. METHODS: Serum samples from 87 patients with HIV-1 infection and from 17 healthy HIV-seronegative controls were tested using sensitive and specific techniques (immunoblot, RNA precipitation), as well as counterimmunoelectrophoresis and indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Four sera (4.6%) showed reactivity in immunoblot against various unidentified cytoplasmic autoantigens. The four positive sera were obtained from patients belonging in equal numbers to the non-AIDS and AIDS groups. CONCLUSION: It appears that the production of antibodies against cellular components rarely occurs during the clinical course of HIV infection.