Serum interferon and clinical manifestations of infection with human T-lymphotropic virus type III.

Sera from 32 homosexual men were studied for the presence of antibodies against human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV III) and acid-labile interferon (IFN) alpha. Infection with HTLV III was found to be associated with the presence of serum IFN. IFN was detected in 74% of sera from male homosexuals with HTLV III antibody, but in only 6% of sera from antibody-negative individuals. More than 80% of sera from HTLV III-infected patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or pre-AIDS conditions (generalized lymphadenopathy or the AIDS-related complex) were positive for IFN, while IFN was not present in sera from healthy homosexual men with HTLV III antibody. In conclusion, the presence of serum IFN may be predictive of the development of AIDS or pre-AIDS conditions in male homosexuals exposed to HTLV III.