Antibody to human T-lymphotropic virus type III in wives of hemophiliacs. Evidence for heterosexual transmission.
To evaluate the risk of heterosexual transmission of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, lymphadenopathy, and infection with human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), we studied 42 hemophiliacs and their wives. By early 1984, 9 of the hemophiliacs had asymptomatic lymphadenopathy and 1 had the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Twenty-one hemophiliacs, including all 10 with clinically overt disease, had antibody to HTLV-III. None of the 42 wives had lymphadenopathy or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome but 2 had HTLV-III antibody. One of these women had evidence of immunologic dysfunction with a markedly reduced T-helper/suppressor cell ratio. The husbands of these 2 women both had HTLV-III antibody, but neither had overt acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related disease. Thus, as of early 1984, the prevalence of HTLV-III antibody in wives of hemophiliacs seropositive for HTLV-III was 9.5% (2 of 21). We conclude that transmission of HTLV-III occurs between hemophiliacs and their heterosexual partners.
Kreiss
J K
JK
Kitchen
L W
LW
Prince
H E
HE
Kasper
C K
CK
Essex
M
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes
D000914:Antibodies, Viral