[Pathogenesis and immunologic findings in AIDS].

As the numbers of children suffering from AIDS are slowly increasing in West Germany it is essential for pediatricians to be aware of events leading to clinically overt disease. This review summarizes events involved in viral attachment to CD4-bearing cells, intracellular replication, and destruction of both HIV-infected and non-infected cells. As a consequence of HIV-infection a profound and complex immunodeficiency is observed which is only partially explained by the loss of circulating CD4-bearing cells. Functions of antibodies, cytotoxic T-cells, natural killer cells, killer cells, as well as non-specific immune functions are discussed not only with respect to defense mechanisms in general but also with respect to the control of HIV-infection itself. Detailed understanding of these events seems to be a prerequisite for understanding the occurrence of infections and tumours in AIDS.