Asymptomatic infection with human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

Asymptomatic infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be defined as follows:

• Evidence of HIV infection

  • 1. Presence of antibodies to HIV in serum (Melbye, 1986) or in other body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF; Goudsmit et al., 1986a); or

  • 2. presence of HIV antigen in serum, or in other body fluids such as CSF (Goudsmit et al., 1986b); or

  • 3. isolation of HIV from stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes, other tissues such as brain, or other body fluids (Barre-Sinoussi et al., 1983; Gallo et al., 1984; Vilmer et al., 1984; Salahuddin et al., 1985).

• and current absence of symptoms attributable to HIV infection. HIV is lymphotropic and neurotropic: such symptoms include (Melbye, 1986; CDC, 1986a):

  • 1. acute glandular fever-like illness;

  • 2. acute encephalopathy, with or without lymphocytic meningitis;

  • 3. persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) without other cause;

  • 4. presenile dementia, myelopathy or peripheral neuropathy;

  • 5. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS; CDC, 1985a), with secondary infections or cancers;