Prevalence of antibodies to HTLV-III in AIDS risk groups in West Germany.
The prevalence of antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus III was determined in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) risk groups by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and confirmatory tests in four different areas in West Germany. Twenty-four of 28 homosexual AIDS patients (86%), 24 of 33 homosexual patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome or AIDS related complex (73%), and 44 of 113 asymptomatic homosexuals at risk for AIDS (39%) were seropositive. In three groups of hemophiliacs, 8 of 35 in 1983 (23%), 25 of 65 in early 1984 (39%), and 19 of 23 in late 1984 (83%) showed positive results. Two sera from 36 polytransfused patients were also positive, whereas 36 selected blood donors, and 32 healthy laboratory and clinical personnel were all negative. Also no human T-lymphotropic virus III antibodies were detected in sera of 187 prostitutes in the Munich area.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000276:immunology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012306:Risk; D012725:Sexual Behavior
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies