Human T-cell leukemia virus in lymphocytes of two hemophiliacs with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Fresh and cultured peripheral blood cells from two patients with hemophilia A and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were examined for markers of infection with human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) type 1. Neither patient had antibody to membrane antigens of HTLV-infected cells at the time of culture. Electron microscopy of peripheral blood cells from Patient 1 and cultured cells from Patient 2 showed type C retrovirus-like particles. Examination of peripheral blood lymphocytes showed other smaller virus-like particles in circulating mononuclear cells from both patients. Indirect immunofluorescence of peripheral mononuclear cells from both patients and of cultured cells from Patient 2 showed staining with antibodies to purified HTLV and to HTLV core proteins p24 and p19.