[T-helper (CD4+) cytopenia and HLA-A1, -B8, -C27, -DR3].

HLA antigen frequencies have been evaluated in a group of 99 AIDS patients who died with low T-helper cell counts. 34 patients also had HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). HLA-A1, Cw7, B8, DR3 has been postulated to be associated with rapid decline of T-helper cells in AIDS patients and with fast disease progression of AIDS. The results of this study support this hypothesis. However, significant elevations of these HLA antigens solely have been found in the group of patients with opportunistic infections, but not in patients with KS.