Loss of discrete memory B cell subsets is associated with impaired immunization responses in HIV-1 infection and may be a risk factor for invasive pneumococcal disease.

Invasive pneumococcal infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-1-infected individuals. B cells play an important role in maintaining serologic memory after infection. IgM memory B cells are significantly reduced in HIV-1-infected patients and their frequency is similar to that observed in other patient groups (splenectomized individuals and patients with primary Ab deficiency) who are also known to have an increased risk of invasive pneumococcal infection. Antiretroviral therapy does not restore marginal zone B cell percentages. Immunization with the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine shows that HIV-1-infected patients have impaired total IgM and IgG pneumococcal vaccines compared with healthy controls. Loss of switched memory B cells was associated with impaired tetanus toxoid IgG vaccine responses. Results of this study demonstrate that defects in B cell memory subsets are associated with impaired humoral immune responses in HIV-1 patients who are receiving antiretroviral therapy and may be a contributory factor to the increased risk of invasive pneumococcal infection observed in HIV-1 infection.