CHANGES IN HUMORAL IMMUNITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH EARLY-STAGE HIV INFECTION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26577/bb2025104313Keywords:
HIV infection, humoral immunity, cytokines, immune dysregulation, immunoglobulins, IL-1β, IgEAbstract
The present study aimed to comprehensively assess humoral immune parameters and cytokine status in individuals newly diagnosed with HIV infection. A total of 783 patients were examined, and serum immunoglobulin profiling was performed in 90 of them. Quantification of IgA, IgM, IgG, IgE, and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10) was carried out using ELISA.
Compared with healthy controls, patients with early-stage HIV infection demonstrated pronounced dysregulation of humoral immunity. Serum IgA, IgM, and IgG levels were significantly elevated (1.95-fold, 1.51-fold, and 2.46-fold increases, respectively), indicating activation of both local and systemic immune responses. Despite this enhancement, the heterogeneity in magnitude of change suggests strain on the primary immune response and an insufficient secondary response. Strikingly, IgE concentrations increased 84.88-fold, pointing to a highly sensitized allergic background likely driven by opportunistic infections accompanied by secondary immunodeficiency.
Similarly, cytokine levels were markedly increased. Pro-inflammatory cytokines showed differential enhancement: IL-1β levels rose 5.75-fold, while IL-6 increased 1.50-fold, suggesting a dominant role of IL-1β in inflammatory signaling and antiviral immunity. Anti-inflammatory cytokines also increased significantly: IL-4 by 6.21-fold and IL-10 by 1.94-fold. This imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators reflects complex immune dysregulation associated with early HIV infection.
Overall, these findings demonstrate substantial activation yet imbalance of humoral immunity in primary HIV infection. The coexistence of heightened immunoglobulin and cytokine synthesis, excessive IgE production, and insufficient secondary immune response indicates an early breakdown in coordinated immune regulation. These results provide important insights for monitoring immune dysfunction and improving clinical management during early stages of HIV.
