Method for detecting immune system dysfunction in asymptomatic, HIV-scropositive individuals

A method for measuring different stages of immune system dysfunction in asymptomatic, HIV-seropositive individuals comprising:

• collecting separated human peripheral blood leukocytes from an individual whose immune system function needs to be measured;
• placing a portion of said peripheral blood leukocytes in each of three containers;
• exposing the peripheral blood leukocytes in the first container to a first stimulant comprising a recall antigen or a mouse xenogeneic antigen;
• exposing the peripheral blood leukocytes in the second container to a second stimulant comprising an alloantigen;
• exposing the peripheral blood leukocytes in the third container to a third stimulant comprising a mitogen;
• measuring the production of IL-2 by T helper cells in response to each of said three stimulants;
• measuring the production of IL-2 by unstimulated peripheral blood leukocytes;
• comparing IL-2 production for each of said three stimulants by the T helper cells of the individual whose immune system function needs to be determined to IL-2 production by said unstimulated peripheral blood leukocytes wherein a failure to generate a statistically greater amount of IL-2 is indicative of a failure to respond to that stimulant;
• a failure to respond to recall antigens or mouse xenogeneic antigen but responding to alloantigen and mitogen stimulants demonstrating a first level of immune dysfunction of least severity;
• a failure to respond to recall antigens or mouse xenogeneic antigen and alloantigens but responding to mitogen stimulant demonstrating a second level of immune dysfunction of intermediate severity;
• a failure to respond to recall antigens or mouse xenogeneic antigen, alloantigens, and mitogens demonstrating a third level of immune dysfunction of the greatest severity.