Antibodies to AIDS-associated retrovirus (HTLV-III/LAV) in drug addicts from Vizcaya, northern Spain.

Serum samples from 313 asymptomatic intravenous (IV) drug users from Bilbao (Vizcaya, Vasque Country, Spain) were tested for antibodies to HTLV-III/LAV virus, the probable etiologic agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Viral antibodies were assayed by ELISA test. 41.9% of the sera gave positive reactions. No seropositivity was detected among 22 normal blood donors, 58 chronic alcoholics, or 20 members of the Drug Control Center personnel. Virus specific reactions were confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence using an HTLV-III/LAV producer cell line, and by Western blotting. 55% of the ELISA-positive sera were also positive in Western blot assay. No differences in seropositivity by age or sex were observed but it increased with the period of parenteral drug use. Presence of antibody statistically correlated with the frequency of syringe sharing, confirming the transmission of viral infection by blood products. Altered T4/T8 ratios and lower number of T4 positive lymphocytes were detected among HTLV-III/LAV positive drug addicts.