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Ask the Experts about AIDS-Related Cancers
Rise in globulin levels in HIV infection
Jun 13, 2003
Dr. Dezube, I read a response in which you said that HIV can cause a rise in globulin levels. Is that usual...does it always happen with HIV infection and at what stage does it occur?
I would also be interested in knowing why HIV causes a rise in globulin.
Thanks.
Response from Dr. Dezube
Globulin levels measure the amount of antibody, which is in one's serum. In HIV-positive folks, high globulin levels are extremely common. This occurs as their bodies are trying to fight off infections. Most commonly the globulin level is classifed as "polyclonal", which indicates that there is a wide spectrum of antibodies. These antibodies have arisen to fight a variety of foreign organisms.
In terms of what stage this occurs in-- High globulin levels are quite often early in the course of HIV infection.
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