[AIDS in Switzerland].

Around 4000 cases of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) have been recorded worldwide. In Switzerland 18 cases has been reported to the Federal Office of Public Health up to February 1, 1984, of whom 15 were men and 3 women. Up to now 16 of the patients have died. 9 of the people involved were homosexuals and 6 Africans, but none of them was a haemophiliac or drug addict. Four patients were not in a definable risk group. Most of the AIDS patients had stayed in the USA, Haiti or equatorial Africa before falling ill. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was found in 9 of 13 Swiss patients, and Kaposi sarcoma in 5 homosexuals and three African patients. The T-helper/T-suppressor ratio proved to be pathologically reduced in all patients in whom this investigation was carried out.