RESUMO
Specific HIV-1 neutralizing activity was measured in single serum samples obtained from 52 individuals suffering from different stage of HIV disease, as well as in serum samples collected during a four years follow up of other 13 HIV-1 seropositive persons, from whose seven developed AIDS. Three of these persons were treated with azidothymidine. In the former group of single serum specimens, the specific neutralizing antibody positivity rate was 81 per cent in symptomless persons, 92 per cent in patients with ARC and 43 per cent in patients with AIDS. From 13 HIV-1 infected individuals, prospectively investigated from 1986 to 1990, six remained asymptomatic and no significant fluctuation of specific virus neutralizing antibody levels was noted. During this time period, remaining seven patients developed AIDS. In the sera of AIDS patients, specific neutralizing activity was either not detected or its titres were rather low before the appearance of clinical disease. Three AIDS patients were administered azidothymidine. Specific neutralizing antibody titres increased significantly one month after the beginning of azidothymidine administration and persisted at relatively high levels over several months of follow up.
