Isolation of HTLV-III from Cerebrospinal Fluid and Neural Tissues of Patients with Neurologic Syndromes Related to the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Abstract

INFECTIONS and neoplasms of the central nervous system are frequent complications of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).1 Recently, several distinct neurologic syndromes have also been reported. Subacute encephalitis, a progressive dementing illness characterized by brain atrophy, occurs in about one third of patients with AIDS.2 In addition, approximately one fifth of patients with AIDS have vacuolar degeneration of the spinal cord that results in paraparesis, ataxia, and incontinence.3 Furthermore, many have unexplained chronic meningitis or peripheral neuropathy.1,4 Several reports suggest that human T-cell lymphotropic virus Type III (HTLV-III), the etiologic agent of AIDS,5678 may be directly involved in these processes. © 1985, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.