Acute HTLV-III infection. A case followed from onset to seroconversion

An acute febrile illness with mouth ulcers and a skin rash was observed in a 37-year-old homosexual man. Acute human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) infection was suspected. The clinical features were documented prospectively, and striking changes in circulating T lymphocytes were demonstrated shortly after the onset of the illness. Seroconversion for HTLV-III antibody occurred between 46 and 78 days after the onset of the illness.