Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HUMAN RETROVIRUSES AND RELATED CLINICAL CONDITIONS
AIDS: Modern Concepts and Therapeutic Challenges. Broder S, ed. New York, Marcel Dekker, p. 91-121, 1987.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/89650440 Biggar RJ; International AIDS Epidemiology, Environmental Epidemiology; Branch, NCI, Bethesda, MD
Abstract:
Human retroviruses are reviewed under the following headings: history and nomenclature, serology, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-I (epidemiology of clinically related conditions, and seroepidemiology), HTLV-II, and HTLV-III and AIDS (epidemiology of clinically related conditions, surveillance and registry data, risk groups, pathogenesis, natural history, and seroepidemiology). An appendix presents the Centers for Disease Control definition of AIDS, including a list of diseases considered at least moderately indicative of underlying immunodeficiency. The HTLV-III virus probably arose as a mutant of another, as yet unknown, human or animal retrovirus. Its widespread distribution in central Africa has promoted the idea that it arose there, but there is no proof of this. Indeed, available evidence supports the idea that it is new in Africa as well as in the United States and Europe. Following the adaptation of this new agent to the human host, the virus was transmitted readily through sexual activity and exposure to blood and other biological products. Individuals only now known to be at risk of carrying HTLV-III frequently served as blood donors before recognition of an infectious agent in this epidemic. Within the United States, estimates of the number of seropositive persons vary from 500,000 to 2 million. Extrapolating from the number of AIDS cases, between 50,000 and 200,000 persons in Europe may be positive. No reliable data from Africa are available, but if 5-10% of the urban population in central Africa are seropositive, this adds several hundred thousand seropositive persons. From natural history studies in the United States, at least 20% of seropositive persons (probably more) will develop AIDS. Within the next few years, there may be as many as several hundred thousand AIDS cases worldwide, most of which will result in death within 1-2 yr. In addition, there may be diseases other than AIDS that are related to HTLV-III itself or to the immunosuppression associated with it, such as malignancies and neurological disorders, that will appear in the coming years. (123 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL Cross-Sectional Studies Human HIV Antibodies/ANALYSIS HIV Seropositivity/IMMUNOLOGY HTLV-I Antibodies/ANALYSIS HTLV-I Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY HTLV-II Antibodies/ANALYSIS HTLV-II Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY Risk Factors United States MONOGRAPH REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL
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.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
