[Follow-up in HIV-infected homosexual males with lymphadenopathy syndrome]

26 homosexual men with antibodies to HIV and generalized lymphadenopathy were examined between 1982 and 1984. Lymphadenopathy was accompanied by clinical symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea and weight loss (50%), moderate leukopenia (15%), lymphocytosis (50%), hypoergy to intraepidermal skin test with recall-antigens (12%), elevated serum levels of IgG (62%), IgA (23%), IgM (19%), beta-2-microglobulin (76%) and neopterin (69%), diminished absolute numbers of CD4-helper cells in the peripheral blood (24%) and an inversion of the ratio CD4-helper cells/CD8-suppressor cells both in blood (64%) and in lymph nodes (36%). Mitogen induced lymphocyte proliferation was significantly lower and the serum levels of gamma-interferon were significantly higher than in healthy controls. Lymph node biopsy revealed only nonspecific reactive hyperplasia with follicular hyperplasia in 54%, a mixed pattern of both follicular hyperplasia and follicular involution with paracortical expansion in 25% and follicular involution with paracortical expansion in 21%. 22 patients were followed longitudinally for a median time of 37 months (33-51 months). 10 patients (46%) developed full-blown AIDS within a median period of 35 months (24-46 months) after first examination and 43 months (36-77 months) after the anamnestic onset of the lymphadenopathy syndrome. The parameters distinguishing these patients from those without progression of disease were higher serum levels of gamma-interferon, higher relative and absolute numbers of CD8-suppressor cells in the peripheral blood, a reduced number of CD4-helper cells in the lymph nodes, and a lower CD4/CD8 ratio as well in the peripheral blood as in the lymph nodes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)