Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): Clinical, Immunological, Pathological, and Microbiological Studies of the First Case Diagnosed in Norway

The first case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Norway, diagnosed in January 1983, is presented, with results of clinical, immunological, and microbiological studies and the results of autopsy. Immunological studies showed several immunological abnormalities, including a profound deficiency of the T-cell system of the type usually associated with AIDS. During the 11 months of symptomatic disease the patient had a series of opportunistic infections, including recurrent Candida esophagitis, probable Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and severe and recurrent perioral Herpes simplex virus infection. During the last months he had increasing signs and symptoms of disseminated cytomegalovirus infection, which was probably the major cause of death, as revealed by autopsy. Autopsy also showed the presence of disseminated infection with a slowly growing, so far unclassified Mycobacterium species, and signs of a focal aspergillus pneumonia.