Virologic and serologic markers of rapid progression to AIDS after HIV-1 seroconversion

A weak immune response to the initial infection with HIV may predict those patients who will progress rapidly to AIDS. Researchers took regular blood samples from 17 HIV-infected people who ultimately developed AIDS in less than 3 years and 42 who were free of AIDS for 6 years or longer. In all cases, the time of seroconversion was known. At the first visit after seroconversion, those who progressed rapidly had higher levels of virus in their blood and low levels of protective antibodies, compared to those who did not progress to AIDS.