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Immunological changes in β-thalassemia major patients positive for HTLV-III antibodies

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Abstract

Antibodies to HTLV-III were found in 6 of 206 Sicilian patients with thalassemia major, aged 1 to 30 years. None of the patients showed clinical signs related to immuno-deficiency syndromes. Immunological investigations carried out in all positive patients showed alterations similar to those found in thalassemic patients without antibodies to HTLV-III. These immunological changes could not depend on the HTLV-III infection, but could be related to the thalassemic condition.

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Romeo, M.A., Russo Mancuso, G., Mauro, L. et al. Immunological changes in β-thalassemia major patients positive for HTLV-III antibodies. Eur J Epidemiol 3, 451–453 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00145663

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