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Paul R. Gustafson, MD
Houston

JAMA. 1986;256(3):346-347.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

In the absence of effective therapy for infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), efforts to contain the epidemic have by necessity focused on prevention. This has been accomplished by broad-based educational programs stressing "safe sex" and reduction in the number of sexual contacts. Studies reporting a decreased incidence of gonorrhea during the last few years suggest that these programs have been successful.¹

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recently recommended that voluntary testing for HTLV-III infection be offered and encouraged when members of high-risk groups present to health care providers.² Careful consideration of this proposal raises a number of critical questions that need to be addressed before screening is initiated.

Mayer et al³ and Groopman et al⁴ have recently reported seronegative HTLV-III-infected patients. The incidence of this phenomenon in asymptomatic high-risk populations and in those with symptoms is unknown . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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