[Acquired immunologic deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in an infant from Austria]

Manuel born in June 1984 is presented for the first time at the age of 6 months with the following symptoms: Otitis purulenta, enlargement of lymph-nodes, swelling of liver and spleen, enteritis, failure to thrive and candida albicansdermatitis. Immunoglobulins and the total serumprotein are elevated. At the age of 9 months a new Hospital admission was necessary. The following symptoms are present: severely enlarged lymph-nodes at different sites, enlargement of liver and spleen, interstitial pneumonia and enteritis. Body weight is below the third percentile. Tine-Test negative. The baby was BCG vaccinated after birth and at 3 months the Tine-Test was positive. The serologic antibody tests (Elisa and Western Blot) for HTLV III are positive, the index helper: suppressor T cells is 1,1 (normal above 1,5). The antibody titers in the maternal blood are higher than in the child. The mother was a regular drug user. A vertical perinatal transmission from the affected mother to her baby is postulated. The start of clinical illness was the 5th month of life. AIDS was fully developed at 9 months of age. Cotrimoxazol treatment resulted in clinical improvement.