Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is an unexplained severe disturbance of the cell-mediated immune system that renders victims susceptible to a group of otherwise-rare diseases and infections, chiefly Kaposi's sarcoma and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. AIDS has been the object of intensive research since mid-1981 when the syndrome was first described by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The victims fall into four main group: homosexually-active males, IV drug users, Haitians, and hemophiliacs. The CDC has noted a doubling of AIDS cases every six months, with the current count--as of June 27, 1983--being 1,676, and the overall mortality rate 39%. The outbreak is most severe in New York City, with the remainder concentrated primarily in other major American cities. Cases have also been reported in 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. At present there are no specific diagnostic tests (diagnosis is primarily clinical), and there is still no specific treatment.