Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Medical challenge of the 80's.

Although the pathophysiology of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is not completely understood, we know a great deal about its epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, course, and immunologic features. Clinicians caring for high-risk individuals, particularly those in endemic urban areas, should remain alert for signs and symptoms of opportunistic infections or neoplasms associated with immunosuppression. It is clear that research on AIDS has increased exponentially; both physicians and patients should be encouraged by the fact that the apparent cause of this syndrome has been identified (human T-lymphotropic retrovirus HTLV-III) and that this breakthrough should result in effective therapeutic strategies in the near future.