Association of Depression With Viral Load, CD8 T Lymphocytes, and Natural Killer Cells in Women With HIV Infection

• DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.159.10.1752
• Publication Date: 2002-10-02T00:03:55Z
• Authors: Dwight L. Evans; Thomas R. Ten Have; Steven D. Douglas; David R. Gettes; Mary Morrison; Margaret S. Chiap...; Priscilla Brinker...; Carla Job; Delinda E. Mercer; Yan Lin Wang; Dean Cruess; Benoit Dube; Erik A. Dalen; Tiffany Brown; Russell Bauer; John M. Petitto
• Keywords: Depression; Cellular immunity

OBJECTIVE: Clinical and epidemiology studies have implicated depression as a risk factor in the morbidity mortality of many human diseases. This study sought to determine if was associated with alterations cellular immunity variables—specifically, natural killer (NK) cells CD8 T lymphocytes—in women HIV infection. METHOD: Ninety-three (63 HIV-seropositive, 30 HIV-seronegative) were studied part an ongoing longitudinal conducted at two sites. Subjects underwent extensive clinical, psychiatric, immunological evaluations. CBC counts flow cytometry panels NK cell activity assayed for all subjects; viral load determined HIV-seropositive subjects. RESULTS: The overall rate major HIV-seronegative 15.87% (N=10 63) 10.00% (N=3 30), respectively. had higher depressive symptom scores than did comparison subjects (Hamilton scale: mean=8.62 [SD=7.26] versus mean=5.67 [SD=7.33], respectively). Both groups similar anxiety scores. Depressive symptoms significantly activated lymphocyte levels. Major lower activity, showed correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide first evidence that may alter function lymphocytes HIV-infected suggest decrease lead increase load. current these (none whom substance abuse) is approximately twice reported men. also consistent other medical illnesses recent chronic symptoms. Depression negative impact on innate immunity. Examination prove useful assessing potential relationship between depression, immunity, disease progression women.