A sicca syndrome in HIV infection: association with HLA-DR5 and CD8 lymphocytosis

Abstract

A sicca syndrome with parotid enlargement, pulmonary insufficiency, and lymphadenopathy was seen in 12 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), only 1 of whom has had an opportunistic infection during 304 patient months of study. There was a striking increase in numbers of circulating CD8 lymphocytes and the prevalence of HLA-DR5 was greatly increased. In patients with this diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome (DILS) the CD8 lymphocytosis, which probably depends on histocompatibility antigen status, may influence disease progression in HIV infection.