CD4⁺ T cell counting was determined in the part of HIV-1 confirmed cases in Shantou from 2009 to 2012. According to the results, these cases were classified into 3 groups, primary-stage infection group (CD4⁺ ≥500 /mm³), middle-stage infection group (CD4⁺ ≥ 200/mm³ and CD4⁺ <500 /mm³) and AIDS group (CD4⁺ <200 /mm³). The WB results of the 3 groups were analyzed and performed to determine the positive rates of antibodies against viral proteins (p17, p24, p31, p39, gp41, p51, p55, p66, gp120 and gp160) and the band patterns of WB.

The antibodies against viral protein p24, p31, gp41, p51, p66, gp120 and gp160 showed high total positive rates (98.2%, 92.0%, 90.8%, 89.5%, 93.3%, 98.7% and 97.5%, respectively) , while the positive rates had no obvious difference among the 3 stages (P>0.05). The antibodies against viral proteins p17, p39 and p55 showed low positive rates (68.9%, 49.1% and 42.5%, respectively). The positive rate of protein p17 showed an obvious declining between primary-stage infection groups (91.5%) and middle-stage infection group 62.8% (P<0.01)as well as AIDS group 59.3% (P<0.01). All bands, missing p39+p55 and missing p17+p39+p55 were the common band patterns of WB among the 3 groups. Primary-stage infection group showed the highest appearance rate (60.8%) of all bands but the lowest appearance rate (6.5%) of missing p17+p39+p55.

Turning negative of antibody against viral protein p17 could be used as a potential distinguish parameter to forecast the disease progression of HIV-1 from primary-stage infection to middle-stage infection group/AIDS group.