Vitamin A deficiency and T-cell subpopulations in HIV-infected adults

Although vitamin A deficiency has been linked with higher mortality and increased mother-to-child transmission of HIV, specific immune abnormalities in HIV-infected adults with vitamin A deficiency are unknown. We measured plasma vitamin A levels and selected T-cell subpopulations in 104 adults with HIV infection. 15.4% had plasma vitamin A levels consistent with vitamin A deficiency (<1.05 μmol/L). Mean CD4 T-cell counts were 127±37 cells/μL in vitamin A-deficient adults compared with 237±26 cells/μL in adults with normal vitamin A levels (p<.04). Vitamin A deficiency was associated with lower CD3 T-cells bearing CD28 surface antigen (p<.05) and L-selectin (p<.01). There were no significant differences in the mean number of CD8, CD3CD45RO, or in the LFA high/low ratio of CD3 T-cells between HIV-infected adults with normal and deficient vitamin A levels. Vitamin A deficiency is associated with T-cell subpopulation abnormalities during HIV infection.