The acquired immune deficiency syndrome: Laboratory findings, clinical features, and leading hypotheses

The recently described acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has received worldwide attention in the past 2.5 years. As of November, 1983, the disease has struck over 2,500 people and continues to claim victims without signs of abatement. It is defined as 'a reliably diagnosed disease that is at least moderately indicative of an underlying cellular immunodeficiency and no other cause of reduced resistance reported to be associated with that disease' [1]. AIDS principally affects homosexual and bisexual men [2], intravenous drug abusers [3], hemophiliacs who are treated with factor VIII concentrate [4], and Haitians [5]. AIDS has also been reported in some recipients of blood transfusions [6], in infants born into families with risk factor for AIDS [7], and in female sexual partners of AIDS patients or those at risk for developing AIDS [8]. Because of its unique and complicated clinical manifestations, its puzzling epidemiology, and its mysterious etiology, the AIDS epidemic has proven to be a major challenge to the medical and scientific community at large. Since January, 1981, a total of 45 patients with documented AIDS have been seen and extensively studied at the New York Veterans Administration Medical Center. The following article is a summary of our experience with AIDS and the present leading hypotheses regarding this devastating disease.