Clinical aspects and observations on patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome

Since November 1982, patients with symptoms suggesting a lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), as well as their contacts and persons in high risk groups were examined as out-patients. The examinations have now been concluded in 101 patients. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to clinical symptoms and the OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio: 30 patients with normal ratio (group I), 59 patients with LAS and a ratio of less than 1 (group II) and 12 patients with fully developed AIDS (group III). During a follow-up time of 18 months, 3 patients of group I developed LAS and 1 patient in group II developed toxoplasma encephalitis. In a further 2 patients with LAS, uncharacteristic symptoms such as fever, tiredness and loss of weight increased, while at the same time the number of OKT4+ cells and thus the ratio fell significantly. In 4 cases the immunological parameters and the clinical picture improved. In 52 patients the clinical picture and the laboratory findings did not change. The demonstration of retrovirus HTLV III would seem to provide the cause of LAS and AIDS. Nonetheless, follow-up observation of contacts and patients with LAS remain important.