Unique pattern of HTLV-III (AIDS-related) antigen recognition by sera from African children in Uganda (1972).
Of 75 sera collected in the West Nile district of Uganda over a 1-year period between 1972 and 1973, 50 (66%) had antibody reactivity to human T-cell lymphotropic virus subgroup III (HTLV-III) at low titer levels. Sera were initially screened by HTLV-III enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and sera with values less than normal mean + 2 SD were removed from testing. The remaining sera were tested for positivity by an amplified Western blotting procedure which incorporated a three-layer immunoperoxidase procedure. Immunoglobulin reactive with HTLV-III Mr 24,000, 41,000, and 76,000 proteins were present in nearly all positive sera. The antibody status of this group was unlike any normal or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-risk group previously tested. The high prevalence and relatively low titers suggest the detection as early as 1972 of a relative or predecessor of HTLV-III or of HTLV-III itself but existing in a population acclimated to its presence. It further suggests a likely African origin of HTLV-III.
Saxinger
C
C
Levine
P H
PH
Dean
A
A
Lange-Wantzin
G
G
Gallo
R
R
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D012192:Retroviridae Infections; D014454:Uganda; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D014764:Viral Proteins