Human T-cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus type III in the conjunctival epithelium of a patient with AIDS.

The human T-cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), the causative agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has been isolated from the conjunctival epithelium of a 33-year-old woman with AIDS, suggesting that an important reservoir of the virus may be the ocular surface epithelial cells. The tears and conjunctival epithelium from normal controls were negative for HTLV-III. The finding of HTLV-III in the tears and conjunctival epithelium indicated that HTLV-III may be ubiquitous in bodily cells and fluids. Repeated contact with the tears and ocular surface epithelium of patients with AIDS may possibly facilitate transmission of HTLV-III, and precautions are advisable during routine ophthalmologic procedures such as glaucoma testing and contact-lens fitting.