title: Immunological findings associated with HTLV-III antibody positivity.
abstract: In order to evaluate the immunological findings associated with HTLV-III virus infection, T-lymphocyte subpopulations and lymphocyte stimulation responses were studied in a voluntary group of 174 homosexual men living in Finland. Antibodies against HTLV-III were found in 17 individuals. Decreased T-helper/T-suppressor ratio and low responses to mitogens (phytohaemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen) and a specific antigen (purified protein derivative of tuberculin) were typical for HTLV-III antibody positive individuals. The reason for this decreased Th/Ts ratio was the low level of T-helper cells. In the HTLV-III antibody negative group, where a low Th/Ts ratio was occasionally seen, it was due to elevated T-suppressor cells. The low T-helper cell values were in good correlation with the poor clinical status of these persons and with low stimulation responses.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000032:analysis; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral