title: Exposure to human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus and immunologic abnormalities in asymptomatic homosexual men.
abstract: Immunologic and serologic studies were done in 120 homosexual men who reportedly had no symptoms related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Forty-nine men (41%) had antibody to the retrovirus human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV), and 37 (31%) had an abnormal T-cell subset ratio and other immunologic abnormalities. These abnormalities were almost exclusively confined to men seropositive for the retrovirus. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that exposure to HTLV-III/LAV was the single best predictor of T-cell (and other) immunologic abnormalities. Sexual practice, particularly receptive anal intercourse, predicted exposure to HTLV-III/LAV but was not independently related to T-cell abnormalities. The association of other microbial serologic findings with HTLV-III/LAV seropositivity or T-cell changes was a coincidental function of sexual activity. Immunologic abnormalities in asymptomatic homosexual men are mostly related to exposure to HTLV-III/LAV.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: McDougal
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Jaffe
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Spira
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Darrow
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hubbard
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008934:Mitogens