[Prognostic significance of the T4 lymphocyte count in patients infected with CDC Class II and III HIV]

From 1985 to 1987 101 patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were seen at our outpatient clinic and prospectively analyzed in a cohort study. We evaluated the follow-up in 41 patients of CDC classes II and III with regard to the number of T-helper lymphocytes (T4) and clinical progression. The patients consisted of 24 i.v. drug addicts, 11 homosexuals and 6 persons with other or multiple risk factors for HIV infection. Patients with a T4 count of less than 400/mm3 at the first visit did not differ significantly with regard to development of AIDS from those with a count of greater than 400/mm3 after a mean follow-up of approximately 1 year. The course of the infection for the individual patient was extremely varied and not predictable by the T4 value. We conclude that the number of the T4-lymphocytes is of no help in assessment of prognosis in the individual patient of CDC classes II and III.