title: Immunopathology of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) observations in 75 patients with pre-AIDS and AIDS.
abstract: Sequential changes in the morphology of immunocompetent and other organs, in the accompanying immunocytological and immunovirological measurements are described in 75 patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome and with AIDS. The data presented demonstrate a stepwise development of the disease from a hyperimmunization syndrome to T-cell immune deficiency. Excessive antigenic stimulation by a large number of infectious organisms or by transfusion of blood and blood products account for antigenic overloading and hyperimmunization. Among such infectious organisms are certain viruses which per se interfere with cells of the immune system as for instance Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and HTLV3. Developing immunological incompetence will favor the persistence of these and other infectious organisms enhancing the damage of the immune reactivity and finally allow lethal infections or malignant tumors to occur.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000473:pathology; D017977:Deltaretrovirus; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011003:Ploidies; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000473:pathology; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral