Acid-Labile Alpha Interferon: A Possible Preclinical Marker for the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in Hemophilia

M. Elaine Eyster, James J. Goedert, Man Chiu Poon, Olivia T. Preble

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

164 Scopus citations

Abstract

Many homosexual men with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have an unusual acid-labile form of human leukocyte, or alpha, interferon in their serum. Male patients with classic hemophilia treated with lyophilized clotting-factor concentrates are also at high risk for the development of AIDS. To determine whether the level of alpha interferon may be a preclinical marker of early subclinical disease, we examined stored plasma and serum from three hemophilic patients with AIDS. Persistently elevated levels of the acid-labile form of alpha interferon were found in all three patients. In two patients the appearance of circulating alpha interferon preceded the onset of clinical disease by 3 to 10 months. In contrast, alpha-interferon levels were not elevated in 43 of 46 unselected patients with hemophilia; three of these patients had transient elevations. These results suggest that acid-labile alpha interferon may be a marker that can be used to identify affected asymptomatic members of high-risk groups before the onset of clinical disease. (N Engl J Med 1983; 309:583–6.).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)583-586
Number of pages4
JournalNew England Journal of Medicine
Volume309
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 8 1983

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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