Transmission of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Through Heterosexual Activity

Editorials1 January 1986Transmission of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Through Heterosexual ActivityMICHAEL M. LEDERMAN, M.D.MICHAEL M. LEDERMAN, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-104-1-115 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptWhen the first cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were recognized among homosexual men, sexual transmission of an infectious agent was among the postulated mechanisms of acquisition of this disease. Since then, transmission of the AIDS virus through homosexual sexual contact has been recognized as the major route of spread of the syndrome in the United States, with approximately 73% of cases occurring among homosexual or bisexual men (1). Epidemiologic studies have shown that among homosexual sexual practices, receptive anal intercourse is particularly associated with the risk of acquiring AIDS (2) and infection by the AIDS virus (3).The...References1. CURRANMORGANHARDYJAFFEDARROWDOWDLE JWAHWW. The epidemiology of AIDS: current status and future prospects. Science. 1985;229:1352-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. MARMORFRIEDMAN-KIENZOLLA-PAZNER MAS. Kaposi's sarcoma in homosexual men: a seroepidemiologic case-control study. Ann Intern Med. 1984;100:809-15. LinkGoogle Scholar3. GOEDERTSARNGADHARANBIGGAR JMR. Determinants of retrovirus (HTLV-III) antibody and immunodeficiency conditions in homosexual men. Lancet. 1984;2:711-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. MASURMICHELISWORMSER HMG. Opportunistic infection in previously healthy women: initial manifestations of a community acquired cellular immunodeficiency. Ann Intern Med. 1982;97:533-9. LinkGoogle Scholar5. HARRISSMALLKLEIN CCR. 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Heterosexual transmission of human T lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus. MMWR. 1985;34:561-2. MedlineGoogle Scholar17. SCHORRBERKOWITZCUMMINGKATZSANDLER JAPAG. Prevalence of HTLV-III antibody in American blood donors [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1985;313:385-6. MedlineGoogle Scholar18. ZAGURYBERNARDLEIBOWITCH DJJ. HTLV-III in cells cultured from semen of two patients with AIDS. Science. 1984;226:449-51. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar19. HOSCHOOLEYROTA DRT. HTLV-III in the semen and blood of a healthy homosexual man. Science. 1984;226:451-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: MICHAEL M. LEDERMAN, M.D.Affiliations: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine University Hospitals of Cleveland Cleveland, Ohio PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byWomen at Risk for AIDS and the Effect of Educational EffortsAIDS: Current medical and scientific aspectsStudents’ sexual behavior, knowledge, and attitudes relating to the acquired immunodeficiency syndromeThe hazard of infection from the shared communion cupThe Risk of AIDS and the Defense of Disavowal: Dilemmas for the College PsychotherapistAIDS Awareness and Information Sources among Selected University StudentsThe Case Against Compulsory Casefinding in Controlling AIDS—Testing, Screening and ReportingAIDS in Africa: An Epidemiologic ParadigmHTLV-III Antibody in East Africa 1 January 1986Volume 104, Issue 1Page: 115-117KeywordsAIDSBisexualsEpidemiologyHeterosexualsHomosexualsInfectious disease immunology ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 January 1986 PDF downloadLoading ...