Transient antibody to lymphadenopathy-associated virus/human T-lymphotropic virus type III and T-lymphocyte abnormalities in the wife of a man who developed the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

We present evidence of transmission of lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV)/human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) from a man to his wife, and a return to a normal number of T-helper lymphocytes and loss of antibody after discontinuing sexual exposure to LAV/HTLV-III. The man had hemophilia A, and developed the lymphadenopathy syndrome, antibody to LAV, and a low number of T-helper lymphocytes. His wife, who had no risks for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome other than sexual contact with him, developed LAV antibody (titer, 1:160) and a mildly decreased number of T-helper cells. The husband subsequently developed the syndrome and lost the LAV antibody. During 10 months of follow-up his wife remained clinically well, discontinued exposure to semen, and then lost the LAV antibody, and regained a normal number of T-helper cells.