Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Anne L Jackson

Joseph H Phillips

Lewis L Lanier

Noel L Warner

Bruce A Bach

The present invention comprises a method for detecting immunological changes in blood samples from patients infected with HIV. The method comprises the use of fluorescently labelled monoclonal antibodies against IL-2R (CD25). Other antibodies, including anti-CD3, anti-CD38 and anti-HLA DR antibodies also may be used. It has been found that a decrease in expression of CD25 in such samples indicates HIV infection.

Detecting immunological changes in HIV infected patient samples

A method for distinguishing between NK cells and T lymphocytes is provided, which comprises contacting a sample containing lymphocytes with a first reagent comprising anti-CD3 and a first detectable label and a second reagent comprising a mixture of anti-CD16 and anti-GP160 (Leu-19) both labeled with a second detectable label, and identifying cells that react with the reagents, whereby cells that react with the first reagent are identified as T lymphocytes, and cells that react only with the second reagent are identified as NK cells. Cells that react with both reagents are identified as a unique subset of T lymphocytes some of which may mediate MHC unrestricted cytolysis.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Anne L Jackson