Evaluation of hiv p24 antigen, beta2‐microglobulin, neopterin, soluble cd4, soluble cd8, and soluble interleukin‐2 receptor levels in patients with aids or aids‐related complex treated with 2′,3′‐dideoxyinosine (ddl)

Circulating HIV P24 antigen, beta2‐microglobulin, neopterin, soluble CD4, soluble CD8, and soluble interleukin‐2 receptor were measured in 13 zidovudine‐intolerant patients (8 with ARC and 5 with AIDS) treated with dideoxyinosine (ddI). Measurements were made at baseline and at several intervals during therapy. Mean levels of HIV P24 antigen decreased early and significantly (^P<0.01) after 2 weeks of ddI administration and remained low at weeks 8 and 12. In addition, mean SCD8 levels decreased late and significantly (^P<0.02) after 16 weeks of ddI treatment and remained low at 24 weeks. In contrast, ddI administration had no substantial effect on mean levels of beta2‐microglobulin, neopterin, soluble CD4, and soluble interleukin‐2 receptor. ddI administration appears to have been associated with early reduction of HIV P24 antigen levels and later reduction of SCD8 mean levels in these patients.