RAPID COMMUNICATION Development of Antibodies to Fetal Calf Serum With Arthus-Like Reactions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus – Infected Patients Given Syngeneic Lymphocyte Infusions

In an attempt to restore immune competence to 12 human patients. There was a correlation between initial CD4 level and the development of antibodies to FCS (median initial immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)–infected patients, lymphocytes from their HIV-1–uninfected identical twin siblings CD4 count in FCS antibody positive patients ! 362.0/mL v median initial CD4 count of nonresponders ! 135.0/mL). were cultured in medium supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum (FCS), anti-CD3 antibody, and interleukin-2 (100 IU/ There was no correlation with response to recall antigens in delayed-type hypersensitivity testing. We conclude that mL) for 10 days and then infused into the patients. After multiple infusions, at 6to 8-week intervals, half of the paselected patients were sensitized to a single component of FCS carried on donor lymphocytes, despite thorough washtients developed arthus-like reactions within 4 to 12 hours of infusion consisting of fever Û397C, hypotension, rigors, ing of the cells before infusion. The development of antibodies to FCS indicates that immune complex formation could arthralgias, myalgias, headache, and/or malaise. Preinfusion and postinfusion serum samples were evaluated for the have occurred after the cell infusions, resulting in the arthuslike reactions. These observations suggest that the therapresence of antibodies to FCS using double immunodiffusion. All preinfusion serum samples were negative by this peutic use of human lymphocytes cultured in FCS may expose the recipient to immunogenic substances with possible method while 8 of the 12 patients developed antibodies to a single component of FCS after two or more infusions of clinical sequelae. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on lymphocytes cultured in FCS-supplemented medium. Prick skin testing to standardized beef extract was negative in all its use.