title: Clinical and immunological findings in HTLV-III infection.
abstract: Clinical, immunological, microbiological, virological, and lifestyle parameters were followed in 200 homosexual men living in Finland. The subjects were seen at 3- to 6-month intervals starting in summer 1983. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus III (HTLV-III) antibodies detected by enzyme immunoassay and confirmed by Western blotting were seen in 18 (9%) of the cases. Initially two cases had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, three had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex, three had lymphadenopathy syndrome, and ten were asymptomatic. During the follow-up two asymptomatic cases developed lymphadenopathy syndrome and three developed enlarged lymph nodes. Immunological studies revealed decreased T-helper cell values and/or T-helper/suppressor ratios in all clinical categories, the findings being more severe and progressive in the symptomatic cases. The finding most clearly distinguishing HTLV-III antibody positive cases from the antibody negative ones was a decreased response to a specific recall antigen, purified protein derivative of tuberculoprotein. Responses to mitogens phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen were also decreased, but to a lesser extent. The primary immunological defect associated with helper T-cell infection by HTLV-III thus seems to be loss of antigen specific immune responses. It is suggested that this is the result of previous antigenic stimulation of HTLV-III infected T-helper cells and that the cellular destruction is associated with initial mitotic activity.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Krohn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antonen
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Valle
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kazakevicius
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saxinger
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranki
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin