Human T-lymphotropic retrovirus type III (HTLV-III) in Danish homosexuals

Sera from 119 patients attending a venereal disease clinic in Copenhagen during May 1983 were screened for antibodies to the newly characterized and isolated retrovirus HTLV-III. Ten out of 45 (22%) homosexual patients and two out of 74 (2.7%) heterosexual patients were found to have antibodies against HTLV-III. The homosexual group (except one case that developed AIDS and died during one year observation period) contained otherwise healthy men some of which had no contact with individuals from high-risk areas and only a few sexual partners. These results strongly suggest that Danish homosexuals with only few contacts are also at risk and that sero-epidemiological studies should also include the healthy homosexual group and probably the heterosexual group attending venereal disease clinics.