Milan as possible starting point of LAV/HTLV III epidemic among Italian drug addicts.
Sera collected between 1978 and 1985 from 716 parenteral drug-addicts admitted to our Clinic with viral hepatitis were tested for antibodies to HTLV III. None of the patients was showing symptoms suggestive of LAV/HTLV III infection at the time of sera collection. Positivity for HTLV III antibody was found and confirmed (by ELISA) in 212 subjects (29.6%). The earliest positivity appeared in a serum sample collected in February 1979. These and other data point to Milan as to the actual source of the Italian PDAs-linked LAV/HTLV-III epidemic.
Lazzarin
A
A
Crocchiolo
P
P
Galli
M
M
Uberti Foppa
C
C
Caredda
F
F
Re
T
T
Moroni
M
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history / Q000635:transmission; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000266:history; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006716:Homosexuality; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014505:Urban Population
D000914:Antibodies, Viral