Antibody to human T cell leukaemia virus type III in Australian homosexual men with lymphadenopathy. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1984. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Antibody to human T cell leukaemia virus type III in Australian homosexual men with lymphadenopathy.

Med J Aust. 1984 Sep 1;141(5):274-6. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/84294996
Frazer IH; Sarngadharan MG; Mackay IR; Gallo RC

Abstract: Sera from Australian homosexual men with idiopathic lymphadenopathy syndrome (ILS), a disease related to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), were tested for antibodies to two serotypes of human T leukaemia virus (HTLV), types I and III; type III is the type recently recognized in the USA as being associated with AIDS. Sera were tested also from other homosexual men and heterosexual controls. Antibody to high titre to HTLV-III was present in the serum of all six subjects with ILS. In contrast, antibody to low titre was present in only one of six healthy homosexual men and in one of five homosexual men with immunodeficiency but no lymphadenopathy. Antibody to HTLV-III was not detected in serum in the one subject with AIDS who was tested, but was detected in his healthy sexual partner. Antibody to HTLV-I, earlier believed to be related to AIDS, was lacking in all subjects. These results suggest, in an Australian setting, that infection with HTLV-III is the cause of ILS and, by inference, may also be the cause of AIDS. We suggest that there are as yet undetermined factors associated with male homosexual practices which cause immunodeficiency which, in turn, increases susceptibility to HTLV-III, the actual causal agent of ILS and, probably, AIDS.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/IMMUNOLOGY Antibodies, Viral/*IMMUNOLOGY Australia *Homosexuality Human HTLV-BLV Viruses/*IMMUNOLOGY Immunity, Cellular Lymphatic Diseases/*IMMUNOLOGY Male Prospective Studies Retroviridae Infections/*IMMUNOLOGY Support, Non-U.S. Gov't JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/immunologyantibodies,viral/KWDimmunologyaustraliaKWDhomosexualityhumanhtlv-blvviruses/KWDimmunologyimmunity,cellularlymphaticdiseases/KWDimmunologymaleprospectivestudiesretroviridaeinfections/KWDimmunologysupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tjournalarticle
841230
M84C0027

Copyright © 1984 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1984. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1984. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .