Epidemic acquired immune deficiency syndrome: Epidemiologic evidence for a transmissible agent

Abstract

A severe disease syndrome involving opportunistic infections and KS has begun to occur with a disturbing frequency in the United States and several other countries. Although only recently recognized, this syndrome, variously called 'AIDS' or 'KS-opportunistic infection,' has been characterized clinically, epidemiologically and immunologically. The cause of this disease is unknown, but its emerging epidemiologic picture resembles diseases caused by infectious agents, in that 1) the epidemic is clearly new, 2) it appears to have started in limited geographic areas and now is occurring in other areas, 3) clusters of cases have been identified, and 4) the syndrome has appeared almost simultaneously in socially disparate and distinct population groups who share only their predilection for other infectious diseases.