In Favour of Draco Malfoy

An investigation of the relationship between vitamin B12

deficiency and HIV infection.
The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency and several symptoms common to HIV
infection overlap.
Additionally, persons with HIV infection have frequently been found to have vitamin B12
deficiency.
Therefore, the issue of concern is the prevalence of B12 deficiency in HIV-infected
persons. A retrospective study of 63 medical records in a midwestern urban veterans
affairs medical center provided the data for this study. Data were collected and
analyzed for relationships among B12 levels, certain hematologic components,
medications, symptomatology, and immune status.
A chi-square goodness-of-fit test demonstrated a significant prevalence of B12
deficiency among persons with HIV disease, and chi-square two-way tables
demonstrated significant relationships between B12 deficiency and weight loss and
diarrhea. Prevalence of B12 deficiency in persons with HIV infection has been shown to
be significant, indicating that B12 deficiency screening in persons with HIV infection
may need be done to aid the health care provider in planning the best possible care. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10670004

Vitamin B12 transport proteins in patients with HIV-1

infection and AIDS.
Remacha AF1, Montagud M, Cadafalch J, Riera A, Martino R, Gimferrer E.
Author information
1
Department of Hematology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Low vitamin B12 levels (B12) are often observed in patients infected with human immunodeficiency
virus type 1 (HIV-1). The causes underlying this finding are thought to be intestinal malabsorption
and/or abnormalities in the vitamin plasma binding proteins (BP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Serum levels of B12 and BP were studied in eighty HIV-1-positive patients, 55 of whom met the
diagnostic criteria for AIDS. Subjects were divided into various subgroups: non-AIDS HIV-1 positive
versus AIDS; low serum B12 levels (DB12, < 150 pmol/L) versus normal serum B12 levels (NB12);
and the results obtained were compared both between groups and with respect to a reference
population (RF) of normal volunteers.

RESULTS:
Low levels of serum B12 were found in 14 patients (17.5%), without differences between the AIDS
and non-AIDS subgroups. The levels of holohaptocorrin (holoHP) were lower in the DB12 group than
in the NB12 and RF groups (p < 0.01), and no differences were found between the AIDS and non-
AIDS groups. The levels of apotranscobalamin (apoTC) were higher in the AIDS group than in the
non-AIDs and RF subjects (p < 0.01), but no differences were found between the DB12 and NB12
groups. Likewise, no differences were noted in the levels of holoTC between the DB12 and NB12
groups. A positive correlation between neutrophil counts and free serum haptocorrin levels (apoHP)
(rs = 0.36; p = 0.002), and a negative one between the former and the levels of apoTC (rs = -0.3; p =
0.009) were observed. Furthermore, a positive correlation was detected between the erythrocyte
sedimentation rate and the levels of apoHP and TC.

CONCLUSIONS:
Low serum levels of HP in HIV-1 positive patients could lead to the low levels of serum vitamin B12
frequently observed in this patient population, while the high levels of TC could merely represent a
non-specific marker of inflammation (acute phase, reactant).
Haptoglobin (abbreviated as Hp) is the protein that in humans is encoded by the HP gene. In blood
plasma, haptoglobin binds to free hemoglobin, compared to hemopexin that binds to free heme,
released from erythrocytes with high affinity and thereby inhibits its oxidative activity. The haptoglobin-
hemoglobin complex will then be removed by the reticuloendothelial system (mostly the spleen).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8349197

Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Nervous

System Disease in HIV Infection
Kevin R. Robertson, PhD; Robert A. Stern, PhD; Colin D. Hall, MBChB; et alDiana O. Perkins,
MD; Jean W. Wilkins, PhD; David T. Gortner; M. Kathleen Donovan, MD; John A. Messenheimer,
MD; Robert Whaley, MD; Dwight L. Evans, MD
Author Affiliations
Arch Neurol. 1993;50(8):807-811. doi:10.1001/archneur.1993.00540080018007

 
In Favour of Hermoinee Granger

• Background.  —Vitamin B12 deficiency may result in a number of neurological and

neuropsychiatric disorders. Patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HI V-1)
infection may have a high rate of vitamin B12 deficiency and nervous system disease.
Vitamin B12 deficiency may contribute to neurological disease in HIV-1—infected
individuals.

Objective.  —To evaluate the possible contribution of vitamin B 12 deficiency to

neurological disease in HIV-1—infected individuals.

Main Outcome Measures.  —Comparison of serum vitamin B12 levels with

neurological, neuropsychological, and mood state abnormalities in 153 HIV-1—positive
subjects and 57 high-risk seronegative controls. A subgroup of 67 subjects underwent
additional extensive clinical neurophysiological, cerebrospinal fluid, and magnetic
resonance imaging evaluations.

Results.  —No statistically significant relationships were noted between vitamin

B12 levels and abnormalities on any of the measures examined.

Conclusions.  —This study does not indicate an important role for vitamin

B12 deficiency in the neurological disease of HIV-1 infection.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/592476

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8352665