Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Abstract

The first Australian case of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which occurred in a 27‐year‐old homosexual man, is reported. The patient, an American citizen now resident in Sydney, presented with life‐threatening pulmonary consolidation. AIDS is characterized by severe defects in cell‐mediated immunity associated with infections and neoplasms (most commonly Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Kaposi's sarcoma). The cause of the syndrome is unknown, but it may be a new infectious agent.