title: Antibody seronegative human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III)-infected patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or related disorders.
abstract: The human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) is the primary cause of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and related disorders (ARC). Prior studies have reported that nearly all symptomatic patients with AIDS or ARC manifest antibody to HTLV-III. This observation has engendered efforts to screen for HTLV-III, especially prior to blood donation, with assays for antibody to HTLV-III. We report the first two cases, one with AIDS and one with ARC, that are HTLV-III virus positive but antibody negative. Accurate diagnosis of HTLV-III infection in some cases may require direct virus culture or tests for antigen. In addition, lack of HTLV-III antibody may indicate an atypical clinical course of AIDS.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Groopman
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Hartzband
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shulman
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Salahuddin
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sarngadharan
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: McLane
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Essex
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gallo
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000276:immunology; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000276:immunology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral