Hematologic abnormalities in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A controlled study and brief review of literature

Abstract

We investigated the hematologic presentation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients in our hospital to determine what abnormalities existed, and which of these could be assigned to any particular risk subgroup. Twentyseven AIDS patients were entered into the study; fifteen homo-bisexual males and twelve i.v. drug abusers. These subgroups were compared with each other and as a whole with a control group of 25 patients with normal bone marrows. Twenty-nine variables were examined including all of the elements of a bone marrow differential count, those elements reported in a CBC, patient's age and the T4/T8 ratios. Statistically significant differences existed in bone marrow plasma cells, promyelocytes, peripheral blood WBC, Hb, platelets, percent bands, and absolute lymphs. We felt these differences were non-specific and could be attributed to our patients' clinical condition. We, thus, determined that our patients had a hematologic presentation that was consistent with but not diagnostic of AIDS, and that no discernible differences existed between AIDS risk subgroups.