[Characteristics of mental status of men infected with human immunodeficiency virus]

A total of 55 men infected with HIV, aged 19 to 42, were examined by clinical and psychopathological methods. Thirty-two of these were heterosexuals, 23 suffered from disturbed psychosocial orientation in respect of the object sex (homosexuals). Lymphadenopathy was the major clinical manifestation of HIV infection. Neurotic disorders characteristic of the acute adaptation period were more frequent among heterosexuals (84.9 percent). Symptoms of organic involvement of the central nervous system of varying severity were more incident among homosexuals (78.2 percent), which fact may be explained by specific premorbid features and by syphilis, a disease frequent in this population.