A prospective study of agaricus blazei mycelia compound administration in asymptomatic HIV-1 infected patients in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

Agaricus mycelia compound (ABPC) has been used as a food supplement in Japan for several years. It has been shown to have immune enhancing activities both z.77 vz.fro and z.77 1;z.1;o, leading us to speculate a potential role in the treatment of HIV infection. To determine the value of ABPC as an immune enhancing supplement for HIV-infected individuals, we carried out a prospective randomised clinical study. We recruited 54 HIV-1 infected asymptomatic patients attending a general clinic in Lusaka, Zambia. Informed consent was obtained from all participants after explaining the purpose and details of the study. At recruitment, all patients had blood CD4 counts >200 cells/m61. The study participants were divided into the ABPC group (28 subjects) and placebo group (26 subjects). ABPC or placebo was administered by directly observed therapy methodology. During the 12-month period, 3 and 5 patients died in the ABPC and placebo groups, respectively. During that time, 9 and 5 patients in the ABPC and the placebo groups, respectively, left the study and returned to their villages. After 12 months, the average CD4 counts in the placebo group had significantly decreased (P=0.018), while the numbers were maintained in the ABPC group. This finding suggests that ABPC administration is beneficial for maintaining CD4 counts in patients with HIV infection, thereby delaying the onset of AIDS.