IgM and IgG antibodies to human T cell lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV-III) in lymphadenopathy syndrome and subjects at risk for AIDS in Italy

Abstract

A study was performed to assess the prevalence of specific antibodies to human T cell lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV-III) in patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome, patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and those at risk of AIDS. Serum samples were obtained from these groups and from healthy controls in selected cities in Italy, and antibodies to HTLV-III were measured by immunofluorescence assay and, in a few patients, by Western blotting. In addition, IgM antibody values were measured in 82 of those positive for HTLV-III. Altogether, 235 out of 320 patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome had antibodies to HTLV-III, the proportions being highest in haemophiliacs, homosexuals, and drug addicts from Rome; 11 out of 12 patients with AIDS had antibodies; 78 out of 439 subjects at risk for AIDS had antibodies; and six out of 30 patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome and positive for HTLV-III antibodies and nine of 52 patients at risk of AIDS had a detectable titre of IgM. HTLV-III is widespread in groups at risk of AIDS in Italy, and antibodies to HTLV-III are highly prevalent in patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome. A higher proportion of drug abusers were positive for antibodies than in previous studies. HTLV-III "infection" would appear to be spread mainly in compromised hosts, as none of the controls were positive for antibodies.

PIP: A study was performed to assess the prevalence of specific antibodies to human T cell lymphotropic retro-virus (HTLV-III) in patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome, patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and those at risk of AIDS. Serum samples were obtained from these groups and from healthy controls in selected cities in Italy, and antibodies to HTLV-III were measured by immunofluorescence assay and, in few patients, by Western blotting. In addition, IgM antibody values were measured in 82 of those positive for HTLV-III. Altogether, 235 out of 320 patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome had antibodies to HTLV-III, the proportions being highest in hemophiliacs, homosexuals and drug addicts from Rome; 11 out of 12 patients with AIDS had antibodies; 78 out of 439 subjects at risk for AIDS had antibodies; and 6 out of 30 patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome and positive for HTLV-III antibodies and 9 of 52 patients at risk of AIDS had a detectable titre of IgM. HTLV-III is widespread in groups at risk of AIDS in Italy, and antibodies to HTLV-III are highly prevalent in patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome. A higher proportion of drug abusers were positive for antibodies than in previous studies. HTLV-III infection would appear to be spread mainly in compromised hosts, as none of the controls were positive for antibodies. All the patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome showed immunological abnormalities -- 94% an inverted OKT4:T8 ratio and 97% anergy to skin tests. Of the 12 patients with AIDS, 10 were positive by immunofluorescence and 11 positive by Western blotting. None of the healthy subjects or those with other disorders were positive. The overall prevalence of IgM antibodies was similar in patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome and subjects in the a risk group.