HIV Infection in a Defined Population of Swedish Haemophiliacs

The results of a clinical follow-up of 124 Swedish patients with haemophilia A and B or severe form of von Willebrand's disease are reported, especially with regard to HIV infection and complications thereof. 44 of the patients were anti-HIV positive. In this group there was an increasing prevalence of lymphadenopathy (18 cases), diarrhoea and fungal infections. 10 patients had generalized persistent lymphadenopathy. Platelet counts were significantly lower and IgG, IgA and IgM levels significantly higher than in the anti-HIV negative group. Oligoclonal protein bands in the gammaglobulin region were found in 8 of the anti-HIV positive patients. The vast majority of these changes have appeared during the past year, and 1-5 years after seroconversion. Presently 22/44 (50%) anti-HIV positive haemophiliacs have at least one symptom related to this infection. Most of the clinical complications have been possible to treat or to mitigate so far.