Passive immunoneutralization of human immunodeficiency virus in patients with advanced AIDS

Abstract

Infusions of 55-500 ml plasma from one of two donors selected for high anti-p24 antibody titre and neutralising capacity were given to six patients with advanced AIDS. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigenaemia cleared immediately and the recipients' serum acquired the HIV antibody profile of the donor together with HIV neutralising activity. The passive antibody effects persisted for up to eleven weeks depending upon the volume of plasma given, which had a half-life of about 12 days. The infusions were followed by fewer symptoms, a transient increase in T lymphocytes, a reduction in the frequency of opportunistic infections, and a decline in the rate at which HIV could be cultured from plasma or lymphocytes.