Immunologic aspects of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and male homosexuality.

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most common and best characterized disorder of T cells leading to enhanced susceptibility to infection. Current hypotheses hold that infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy virus (HTLV-III/LAV) is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the development of AIDS, and that a variety of cofactors participate in the pathogenesis of the syndrome. This article reviews the immunologic aspects of AIDS and the AIDS-related syndromes, as well as concepts of etiology and pathogenesis. Predisposing factors for this disease in the homosexual or bisexual host are emphasized.