A histological and immunocytochemical study of lymphoid tissue in rectal biopsies from homosexual men

Abstract

A histological study of the lymphoid tissue of the rectums of 323 homosexual and 30 heterosexual men (including five intravenous drug users seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus, HIV) was undertaken. Marked lymphoid hyperplasia (germinal centre greater than 680 microns in diameter) was found in 13 men, nine of whom had a sexually transmitted infection of the rectum. Immunocytochemical studies showed that the germinal centres contained B-cells and follicular dendritic cells, surrounded by CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in a ratio of between 5:1 and 10:1. In HIV-infected men there were decreased numbers of CD4+ cells and increased numbers of CD8+ cells, resulting in a ratio of between 0.8:1 and 2:1. In biopsies from four of seven HIV-infected men the follicular dendritic cell processes appeared shorter and fragmented. The pathogenesis of HIV infection is discussed in the light of these findings.

Diagnosing chlamydia and managing proctitis in men who have sex with men: current UK practice

“…This practice has only recently been introduced, principally as a result of the emergence of LGV proctitis based on the genovar L of LGV. Although the majority of men with rectal infection with the genotype trachomatis are symptomless,15 inflammatory changes that may increase the risk of HIV transmission can be identified 16. There is also the possibility of transmission of chlamydiae to the urethra of the sexual partner, therefore the identification and treatment of infected individuals may be justified.…”

The Hitchhiker Guide to CD4+ T-Cell Depletion in Lentiviral Infection. A Critical Review of the Dynamics of the CD4+ T Cells in SIV and HIV Infection

“…In the years following the identification of AIDS, prompted partly by the high frequency of enteropathies in PWH (73), histological studies identified a loss of CD4 + T cells in gastrointestinal biopsies of PWH (74)(75)(76)(77)(78)(79). Lim and colleagues also proved that, similar to circulation, memory CD4 + T cells were the preferentially depleted cell subset in the gut during HIV infection (80).…”