Viral Load in Blood and Lymph Tissues in People Living With HIV

We are studying the pathogenesis of HIV infection and other immune dysfunctions. Because of the lack of an adequate animal model it is generally necessary to utilize human peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues cells for studying aspects of either in vivo or in vitro HIV infection. A dichotomy exists between the amount of HIV that can be measured in peripheral blood compared to lymphoid tissue, as well as the types of immune cells that reside in each compartment. We wish to be able to continue to elucidate many pathogenic aspects of HIV infection and other immune dysfunctions using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and intact tissue or cells obtained from two major lymphoid organs, lymph nodes and bone marrow.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

• HIV status must be documented by a licensed ELISA and confirmed either by Western blot, or plasma viremia.
• Aged 18 years or older.
• Ability to give informed, written consent.
• The following laboratory values:

• Absolute neutrophil count of greater than 1000/mm^3
• PT, PTT, within normal limits, (unless PTT is elevated in presence of positive lupus anticoagulant in a participant with no prior history of abnormal bleeding).
• Adequate blood counts (PLWH: hemoglobin >= 9.0 g/dL, HCT >= 28%, platelets >= 75,000; participants without HIV: hemoglobin >=11.2 g/dL, HCT >=34.1%, platelets >=150,000)
• Blood pressure <=180/100; pulse rate 50-100, unless a lower pulse rate is considered normal for the participant
• Participants who do not have HIV will qualify as control participants.
• Participants must have a clinically palpable lymph node in an easily accessible location.
• Willingness to allow blood samples to be used for future studies of HIV infection/pathogenesis, undergo genetic testing including HLA testing, and undergo hepatitis screening

Exclusion criteria

• Women who are pregnant and/or breast-feeding
• Currently abusing alcohol or other drugs including narcotics or cocaine
• Participants with AIDS dementia or with an AIDS related malignancy other than minimal Kaposi's sarcoma.
• No Aspirin or Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory medications (NSIADs) 7 days prior to procedure. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is permitted at any time.
• Any medical condition for which the PI feels LN BX might be contraindicated
• Participants in which sedation is planned. Use of narcotics (other than as prescribed by a physician) or cocaine less than 1 week prior to the date of biopsy will be excluded.