OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the presence of ferritin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of HIV Ab+ patients and to value the possible correlation with some cytokines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 20 HIVAb+ patients (12 m, 8 f, aged between 21 and 34 years); seven of them were classified as CDC II and 13 as AIDS-dementia complex (ADC), according to CDC. 30 patients, HIV-seronegative, with other neurological disease non-inflammatory) (OND) were recruited as control group. Serum and CSF (obtained by atraumatic puncture) were evaluated for laboratory variables (in the CSF fungal and bacteriological cultures, IgG index, in both CSF and serum B-2-m, TNF-alpha, IL-6, GM-CSF and ferritin (Ferritin MAb solid phase component system-Becton Dickinson, Italy). Statistical analysis were done using the Fisher exact test and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: In CSF of ADC patients were detected significant levels of ferritin and cytokines respect to CDC II and OND patients (p < 0.01). More interesting, in the CSF ferritin was significantly correlated to GM-CSF (r = .870; p < .001). This correlation was not present in the serum. CONCLUSIONS: Our data, even if scanty, suggest the importance of macrophages in the pathogenesis of ADC and confirm the role of ferritin in AIDS.

*AIDS Dementia Complex/CEREBROSPINAL FLUID *Cytokines/CEREBROSPINAL FLUID *Ferritin/CEREBROSPINAL FLUID

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