Impaired Cell-Mediated Immunity in Patients with Classic Hemophilia

Abstract

THREE cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, two of which were fatal, have recently been observed in patients with severe classic hemophilia who had been treated with lyophilized preparations of anti-hemophilic factor (factor VIII).¹ Two of the patients also had oral candidiasis, and one was infected with Mycobacterium avium–intracellulare. Immunologic studies in the survivors demonstrated poor lymphocyte responsiveness to mitogens, an absolute and relative decrease in helper T cells, and a relative increase in suppressor T cells.The pathogenesis of this unusual syndrome, which resembles closely the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) that has been detected in homosexual men, Haitians, and . . .