Management of infectious and immunological complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Current and future prospects.

AIDS is caused by a newly recognised virus (human immunodeficiency virus; HIV) which induces a profound defect in cellular immune function associated with increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and certain malignancies. The clinical presentation of HIV ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe immunodeficiency manifesting as severe life-threatening infectious diseases or malignancies. While major research efforts are being directed toward development of vaccine and discovery of effective antiretroviral drugs, clinicians are faced with AIDS patients with multiple and complicated medical problems including opportunistic infections and certain malignancies. Currently, efforts are directed toward early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of recurrence of these opportunistic infections. The current approaches are reviewed in this article. Major recent developments in AIDS research include the isolation of the HIV on culture and the availability of the antibody test. Aside from vaccine and antiretroviral drugs, other measures that may be of benefit in the treatment of AIDS patients are immunological enhancement and reconstitution. Several studies are underway to evaluate antiviral agents in the treatment of HIV infection. Those undergoing clinical trial include suramin, ribavirin, antimoniotungstate, phosphonoformate and azidothymidine. Immune enhancers that have been used include alpha- and gamma-interferon and interleukin-2. HLA-matched lymphocyte transfusions and bone marrow transplantations have been used alone and in combination to replace the AIDS patient's defective immune system.