[Subjects infected with human immunodeficiency virus: serological markers of prognostic value]

Three stages in the course of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been recognized: asymptomatic, AIDS related complex (AIDS-RC) and clinical AIDS. In contrast to asymptomatic patients, subjects with clinical AIDS show HIV antigens in serum and a disappearance of antibodies against the main viral core (anti-P24). In 31 subjects infected with HIV we measured serum HIV antigens and anti-P24 antibodies (ELISA). Twelve were asymptomatic, 7 had AIDS-RC and 12 were patients with clinical AIDS. HIV antigens were positive in 9 of 11 AIDS cases but only in 1 AIDS-RC and 1 asymptomatic patient. Anti-P24 were present in only 3 AIDS cases and in the majority of asymptomatic and AIDS-RC cases. The only asymptomatic patient with HIV antigen positive and anti-P24 negative serum developed polyarthritis, fever and salmonellosis 3 years later. One patient with AIDS-RC and similar serologic findings remains stable and all patients with clinical AIDS have died. Determination of these serum markers may be helpful in establishing a prognosis in HIV infected patients.