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Prevalence of Antibodies to HTLV-III in AIDS Risk Groups in West Germany¹

Abteilung für Pathologie, Gesellschaft für Strahlen- und Umweltforschung, 8042 Neuherberg/München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1 [V. E., W. M.]; Medizinische Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München [R. H., F. D. G.]; Pathologisches Institut [G. K.], Hautklinik [H. R.], 1. Medizinische Klinik [E. L.] Universität Köln; Zentrum Innere Medizin, Universität Ulm [E. S., H. H.]; 4. Medizinische Abteilung, Städt. Krankenhaus Schwabing [E. H.]; Abteilung für Klinische Haemostaseologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Homburg/Saar [P. H., M. K.]

The prevalence of antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus III was determined in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) risk groups by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and confirmatory tests in four different areas in West Germany. Twenty-four of 28 homosexual AIDS patients (86%), 24 of 33 homosexual patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome or AIDS related complex (73%), and 44 of 113 asymptomatic homosexuals at risk for AIDS (39%) were seropositive. In three groups of hemophiliacs, 8 of 35 in 1983 (23%), 25 of 65 in early 1984 (39%), and 19 of 23 in late 1984 (83%) showed positive results. Two sera from 36 polytransfused patients were also positive, whereas 36 selected blood donors, and 32 healthy laboratory and clinical personnel were all negative. Also no human T-lymphotropic virus III antibodies were detected in sera of 187 prostitutes in the Munich area.