Pediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection and circulating IgD + memory B cells

Abstract

Levels of circulating naive and memory B cells were measured in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children and control subjects to determine whether the irreversible depletion of memory B cells described in HIV-infected adults occurs in children with HIV infection. Depletion of circulating IgD + memory B cells was seen in HIV-infected children despite control of the HIV load with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (P > .04). IgD+ memory B cell percentages did not correlate with CD4+ cell percentages (P = .27) or disease duration (P = .26). Naive/transitional and IgD- memory B cell numbers were not affected. Pediatric HIV infection is associated with selective depletion of circulating IgD+ memory B cells despite control of the HIV load with HAART. © 2008 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.