Link Established With A.I.D.S. Virus (Press, 10 April 1984)

A new study has established a significant link between receptive anal intercourse among homosexual men and an immune system change associated with almost all individuals diagnosed with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Conducted by a team led by Dr. Roger Detels from the University of Southern California, the research involved 89 homosexual men and is considered the first to show that those who engage in receptive anal sex are more likely to carry immune system antibodies tied to past exposure to cytomegalovirus (CMV). This virus is commonly found in nearly all AIDS patients. While Dr. Detels emphasised that the study does not directly link anal intercourse to AIDS, it raises crucial questions about whether injuries sustained in the rectal area may facilitate the entry of whatever causes AIDS into the bloodstream. He stated that although the findings increase suspicion around the topic, conclusive proof has not been established. Dr. Detels hinted at the need for individuals in the homosexual community to consider alternatives to anal sex when evaluating their risk factors. The study, which also involved contributions from Dr. Barbara Visscher and researchers from UCLA and the National Institutes of Health, was published in a recent edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. AIDS is known for compromising the body’s immune defenses, leading to opportunistic infections, which can be fatal. CMV infects a substantial majority of American adults by the age of 50 without causing obvious symptoms, raising questions about its relationship to AIDS; while some scientists once thought CMV might be a causative factor in AIDS, the prevailing belief is that it functions primarily as an opportunistic infection. Previous research by the UCLA team had already documented links between anal intercourse and changes in the levels of T cells — crucial components of the immune system — which are significantly altered in AIDS patients. The participants in the latest study will continue to be monitored to determine how many may go on to develop AIDS. As of now, only two of the 89 individuals studied have been diagnosed with the disease. The AIDS epidemic has claimed more than 1,300 lives among over 3,500 cases reported in the United States, predominantly affecting male homosexuals or those who abuse drugs. Other groups considered at increased risk include Haitians, hemophiliacs, and individuals receiving standard blood transfusions.

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