Further isolation of HIV strains in Palermo: some biological properties of the new isolates.

21 HIV strains were isolated from peripheral mononuclear cells of 31 adult and pediatric patients with AIDS or ARC and 10 apparently healthy HIV seropositive individuals. Viral isolation rate was correlated to the clinical status of patients, being very high in patients with AIDS or ARC, and lower in apparently healthy individuals. 4 isolates were propagated in cultures of a T-cell continuous line (Molt 4) and their biological properties were compared. The capacity to establish a chronic infection on Molt 4 cells and the extent of cytopathic effect of the infected cultures varied among the different strains. Moreover, differences in endpoint titrations of the supernatants and variable effects on cell multiplication and viability of Molt 4 cells were also observed. Our results further substantiate the existence of a wide heterogeneity of HIV strains.