African Kaposi's sarcoma and AIDS

16 Zambian patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) were studied to determine whether they had evidence of lymphopenia with decreased T helper/T suppressor (Th/Ts) ratios or previous infection with opportunistic pathogens. Serological tests for viruses commonly associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were also carried out. 12 patients had a decreased Th/Ts and 2 of these were also lymphopenic. Serological evidence for infection with Toxoplasma and with Pneumocystis was present but this was not significantly more common in KS patients than in controls. All 16 patients had antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV), 15 had antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus and 13 to human T leukaemia virus (HTLV) infected cells. 5 patients had evidence of previous infection with hepatitis B virus. African patients with KS seem to have an immunological and virological profile similar to that seen in American patients with AIDS.