Biomaterial Database

Epidemiological evidence that HTLV-III is the AIDS agent. 1985

J J Goedert, and R C Gallo

Human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) is a recently discovered retrovirus with tropism and cytotoxicity for the OKT4+ lymphocytes that are depleted in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In addition to the frequent detection of HTLV-III in patients with AIDS and related syndromes, seroepidemiological studies have shown that HTLV-III can be transmitted by sexual contact and blood transfusion in a manner identical to the putative AIDS agent. Analyses of stored sera have revealed that HTLV-III antibodies appeared in high-risk groups some two years before the disease outbreak, which corresponds to the apparent incubation period in patients with transfusion-associated AIDS. The risk of developing AIDS is clearly associated with HTLV-III seropositivity and may be as high as 20% within three years. Strong evidence that HTLV-III is the AIDS agent mandates aggressive efforts to minimize further sexual, maternal-fetal, and blood-borne transmission of this virus while pursuing vaccine development and antiretroviral therapies.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D005260	Female		Females
D006377	T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer	Subpopulation of CD4+ lymphocytes that cooperate with other lymphocytes (either T or B) to initiate a variety of immune functions. For example, helper-inducer T-cells cooperate with B-cells to produce antibodies to thymus-dependent antigens and with other subpopulations of T-cells to initiate a variety of cell-mediated immune functions.	Helper Cell,Helper Cells,Helper T Cell,Helper-Inducer T-Lymphocytes,Inducer Cell,Inducer Cells,T-Cells, Helper-Inducer,T-Lymphocytes, Helper,T-Lymphocytes, Inducer,Helper T-Cells,Cell, Helper T,Cells, Helper T,Helper Inducer T Lymphocytes,Helper T Cells,Helper T-Cell,Helper T-Lymphocyte,Helper T-Lymphocytes,Helper-Inducer T-Cell,Helper-Inducer T-Cells,Helper-Inducer T-Lymphocyte,Inducer T-Lymphocyte,Inducer T-Lymphocytes,T Cell, Helper,T Cells, Helper,T Cells, Helper Inducer,T Lymphocytes, Helper,T Lymphocytes, Helper Inducer,T Lymphocytes, Inducer,T-Cell, Helper,T-Cell, Helper-Inducer,T-Cells, Helper,T-Lymphocyte, Helper,T-Lymphocyte, Helper-Inducer,T-Lymphocyte, Inducer
D006467	Hemophilia A	The classic hemophilia resulting from a deficiency of factor VIII. It is an inherited disorder of blood coagulation characterized by a permanent tendency to hemorrhage.	Factor VIII Deficiency,Hemophilia,Autosomal Hemophilia A,Classic Hemophilia,Deficiency, Factor VIII,Factor 8 Deficiency, Congenital,Factor VIII Deficiency, Congenital,Haemophilia,Hemophilia A, Congenital,Hemophilia, Classic,As, Autosomal Hemophilia,Autosomal Hemophilia As,Classic Hemophilias,Congenital Hemophilia A,Congenital Hemophilia As,Hemophilia A, Autosomal,Hemophilia As,Hemophilia As, Autosomal,Hemophilia As, Congenital,Hemophilias, Classic
D006678	HIV	Human immunodeficiency virus. A non-taxonomic and historical term referring to any of two species, specifically HIV-1 and/or HIV-2. Prior to 1986, this was called human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV). From 1986-1990, it was an official species called HIV. Since 1991, HIV was no longer considered an official species name; the two species were designated HIV-1 and HIV-2.	AIDS Virus,HTLV-III,Human Immunodeficiency Viruses,Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type III,Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type III,LAV-HTLV-III,Lymphadenopathy-Associated Virus,Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus,Human Immunodeficiency Virus,Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type III,Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type III,Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type III,Immunodeficiency Virus, Human,Immunodeficiency Viruses, Human,Virus, Human Immunodeficiency,Viruses, Human Immunodeficiency,AIDS Viruses,Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type III,Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus,Lymphadenopathy-Associated Viruses,Virus, AIDS,Virus, Lymphadenopathy-Associated,Viruses, AIDS,Viruses, Lymphadenopathy-Associated
D006716	Homosexuality	The sexual attraction or relationship between members of the same SEX.	Homosexuality, Ego-Dystonic,Ego-Dystonic Homosexuality,Homosexuality, Ego Dystonic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000163	Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome	An acquired defect of cellular immunity associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a CD4-positive T-lymphocyte count under 200 cells/microliter or less than 14% of total lymphocytes, and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignant neoplasms. Clinical manifestations also include emaciation (wasting) and dementia. These elements reflect criteria for AIDS as defined by the CDC in 1993.	AIDS,Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immunologic Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes,Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Immunodeficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Syndrome, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immunodeficiency
D000386	AIDS-Related Complex	A prodromal phase of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Laboratory criteria separating AIDS-related complex (ARC) from AIDS include elevated or hyperactive B-cell humoral immune responses, compared to depressed or normal antibody reactivity in AIDS; follicular or mixed hyperplasia in ARC lymph nodes, leading to lymphocyte degeneration and depletion more typical of AIDS; evolving succession of histopathological lesions such as localization of Kaposi's sarcoma, signaling the transition to the full-blown AIDS.	ARC,Lymphadenopathy Syndrome,AIDS Related Complex,Complex, AIDS-Related,Lymphadenopathy Syndromes,Syndrome, Lymphadenopathy,Syndromes, Lymphadenopathy
D000914	Antibodies, Viral	Immunoglobulins produced in response to VIRAL ANTIGENS.	Viral Antibodies