[Primary infection caused by human immunodeficiency virus: clinical and serologic aspects of 7 cases]

We report 7 individuals in whom HIV seroconversion developed, in 6 associated with symptoms and in one without any symptom at all. The most florid and sustained symptoms appeared in the oldest patients: a female and her heterosexual partner, who was a promiscuous male with recent seroconversion. A heroin abuser had oral muguet, and another had esophageal candidiasis. Rash was absent in all cases. Antigenemia was demonstrated in 6 of the 7 patients. In one case, a third generation ELISA was more sensitive than Western blot for the identification of seroconversion.