Impaired Specific Cellular Response to HTLV-III before Other Immune Defects in Patients with HTLV-III Infection

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Abstract
To the Editor: The progressive course of HTLV-III/LAV infection has been ascribed to an overall immunosuppressive effect of the virus.1 , 2 However, in a group of infected persons, we found that the specific cell-mediated response to HTLV-III was usually absent at a time when other lymphocyte responses appeared normal or nearly normal. This defect may be a major factor in patients' incapacity to combat the latent HTLV-III.The 22 patients had anti-HTLV-III antibodies, as confirmed by Western blot assay; 19 also had anti-cytomegalovirus antibodies (Table 1). Five had no symptoms, 10 had persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, and 7 had AIDS-related complex. None . . .