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Primary Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type III Infection
- DAVID D. HO, M.D.;
- M. G. SARNGADHARAN, Ph.D.;
- LIONEL RESNICK, M.D.;
- FULVIA DIMARZOVERONESE, Ph.D.;
- TERESA R. ROTA, M.A.; and
- MARTIN S. HIRSCH, M.D.
Abstract
Primary infection with the human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) was documented in three patients by virus isolation during acute illness and concurrent or subsequent HTLV-III seroconversion. All patients had fevers, rigors, arthralgias, and myalgias. Additional symptoms included truncal maculopapular rash, urticaria, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Lymphocytic meningitis accompanied the febrile illness in two patients. The estimated incubation period was 3 to 6 weeks, and the symptoms lasted 2 to 3 weeks. Seroconversion occurred 8 to 12 weeks after presumed exposure and was manifested by a characteristic antibody response pattern. Physicians should consider the possibility of primary HTLV-III infection when evaluating patients who belong to one of the risk groups for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and who have prolonged febrile illnesses.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Infectious Disease Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland; and Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida.
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Grant support: by grant CA 35020 from the National Institutes of Health; and the Mashud A. Mezerhane B Fund. Dr. Ho is the recipient of a Clinical Investigator Award from the National Institutes of Health.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to David D. Ho, M.D.; Infectious Disease Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Fruit Street; Boston, MA 02114.
- ©1985 American College of Physicians
