The purine metabolic enzymes adenosine deaminase (ADA) and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) are important in lymphocyte differentiation, and genetic deficiencies of either enzyme have been associated with hereditary immunodeficiency states. Both ADA and PNP activity were measured in null cell-enriched and T cell-enriched peripheral blood lymphocytes from 16 patients with the acquired immun...

To begin this discussion about AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, it?s helpful to first understand the virus that is associated with it. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infects certain types of white blood cells, mainly CD4 cells (also called helper cells or T cells), which are a part of the immune system that protect against infection. The virus damages the immune system and leav...

To begin this discussion about AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, it?s helpful to first understand the virus that is associated with it. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infects certain types of white blood cells, mainly CD4 cells (also called helper cells or T cells), which are a part of the immune system that protect against infection. The virus damages the immune system and leav...

To begin this discussion about AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, it?s helpful to first understand the virus that is associated with it. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infects certain types of white blood cells, mainly CD4 cells (also called helper cells or T cells), which are a part of the immune system that protect against infection. The virus damages the immune system and leav...

Patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) do not frequently have pleural complications. However, pneumothorax is a troublesome complication of patients with AIDS. At some medical centres, more than 50% of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax have AIDS. Most patients with spontaneous pneumothorax and AIDS have Pneumocystis carinii infection and necrotic subpleural blebs. The pne...