Antiphospholipid antibodies in Mexican HIV-positive patients

Several studies have shown that HIV patients tend to develop autoimmune diseases, and have numerous antibodies, such as antiphospholipid antibodies. Antiphospholipid antibodies are the serological markers used in the diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome. However, antiphospholipid antibodies also appear to exist in infectious diseases.

Objective

To measure the titers of antiphospholipid antibodies in healthy and in HIV positive Mexican mestizo patients, and correlate them with the patient clinical manifestations to identify possible findings compatible with an autoimmune disease.

Material and methods

A case control study was conducted on 50 healthy mixed race Mexican subjects and in 50 randomly selected HIV-positive patients from the Infectious Diseases Department of a Regional Hospital in Puebla, México. Antiphospholipid titers were performed on the patients and controls and analyzed to see if there was any correlation between clinical signs.

Results

There was a statistical difference in the titers of anticardiolipin antibodies isotype IgG between the control group and the HIV group. When sexual preference was evaluated in the HIV group a statistical difference in the antibody titers was observed between homosexual and heterosexual HIV patients.

Conclusion

There were no correlations found between the antibody titers and specific clinical manifestations in HIV positive patients. The exact clinical meaning of the presence of these antibodies in HIV positive patients is still unknown, so further studies are needed.