RSS Feeds
Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity and AIDS
- MAJ Stephen P. Blatt, MC, USAF; and
- MAJ Craig W. Hendrix, MC, USAF
- USAF Medical Center; Lackland Air Force Base; Lackland, TX 78236-5300 Disclaimer: The views expressed in this letter are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of Defense or other Departments of the U.S. Government.
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IN RESPONSE:
Drs. Stricker and Elswood suggest the possible use of topical 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene to induce allergic contact dermatitis in patients infected with HIV and thereby to modulate the cellular immune response against the virus [1]. Although some evidence suggests that dinitrochlorobenzene may preferentially stimulate a Th1-like cytokine profile in mice [2], no data exist to support such a mechanism in humans. On the contrary, we are concerned about the induction of nonspecific immunologic stimulation in patients infected with HIV because of the overwhelming evidence that immunologic activation is associated with a worsened prognosis in such patients [3]. Nonspecific T-cell activation may accelerate the course of HIV infection through several mechanisms, including the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis) and up-regulation of HIV expression [4, 5]. Until more detailed immunologic studies of dinitrochlorobenzene in humans are available, we suggest caution in interpreting uncontrolled, anecdotal case series reports describing this chemical allergen as a treatment for HIV infection.
MAJ Stephen P. Blatt, MC, USAF
MAJ Craig W. Hendrix, MC, USAF
USAF Medical Center; Lackland Air Force Base; Lackland, TX 78236-5300
The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
- Copyright ©2004 by the American College of Physicians
