Aberrations in chromosomes of peripheral lymphocytes of male homosexuals predisposed to acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Chromosomal aberrations in lymphocyte and fibroblast cultures of patients with the sporadic type of Kaposi sarcoma

Numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations were found in metaphases from lymphocyte cultures from Sardinian patients with the sporadic type of Kaposi sarcoma, and also in fibroblasts derived from cultured biopsies of the tumoral lesions. In several cases there was evidence of clonal evolution of some of the chromosomal aberrations. The chromosomes most frequently involved in numerical aberrations were 10, 13, 15, 22 and the X and Y chromosomes, and those most frequently involved in translocations and deletions were 7, 13, 15, 22 and the X chromosomes. The hypothesis is made that in Kaposi sarcoma the chromosomal instability and clonal evolution in vivo could be modulated by the immunologic situation peculiar to the condition.

Role of Epstein-Barr virus in acquired immune deficiency syndrome

We have reviewed the biologic characteristics, immune responses, and diverse array of diseases occurring from Epstein-Barr virus infections in immune deficient patients. We have summarized possible roles of the virus in the risk groups for AIDS. Data is convincing that EBV is responsible for some of the cases of lymphadenomegaly and Burkitt-like, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in patients with pre-AIDS and AIDS. A hypothesis has been proposed wherein EBV and other stimulants of B and T cells allow productive infection by the retrovirus and spread of HTLV-III throughout the helper T cell populations.