The immunological and clinical outcome of HIV infection: 31 months of follow-up in a cohort of homosexual men

T-cell subsets, antibodies (Ab) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and clinical status were evaluated during a 31 (24-35) month follow-up study of homosexual men. The study group included 50 homosexual men, with many sexual partners, who by 1982-83 were without symptoms and had a prevalence of HIV Ab of 38%. Among the men who were seropositive on the initial investigation a significant decrease occurred in the absolute number of CD4+ lymphocytes (p less than 0.01). 88% of these men experienced a decrease, and by follow-up 59% had CD4+ lymphocytes below the normal range. Also the men who seroconverted during the study had a significant decrease in CD4+ lymphocytes, while no changes were observed in the seronegative group. None of the subgroups had significant changes in CD8+ lymphocyte number. AIDS or AIDS related complex developed in 33% of the men seropositive at inclusion. None of these clinical syndromes developed in the seroconverting or the seronegative group. The men who eventually developed clinical symptoms did not differ significantly from the healthy HIV Ab positive persons, with respect to lifestyle parameters, presence of lymphadenopathy and isolation of cytomegalovirus. However, they had significantly lower CD4+ cells and CD4/CD8 ratio (p less than 0.01) at inclusion. It is concluded that in the majority of persons infected with HIV, phenotypic T-cell alterations will occur with a latency of years, but it remains to be seen if the alterations necessarily will result in clinical manifestations. Further, T-cell subset determination among healthy HIV Ab positive persons will provide prognostic information.