NATURAL-HISTORY OF HIV-INFECTION IN FILIPINO FEMALE COMMERCIAL SEX WORKERS

A prospective follow-up study of the progression of HIV infection, fro m seroconversion to onset of opportunistic infections (OI) indicative of immune deficiency and to death, was performed in a cohort of 54 HIV -1 antibody positive Filipino female commercial sex workers (FCSW). Th e cumulative probability of having a CD4(+) T cell count of <200/mm(3) and/or an OI indicative of severe immune deficiency was 52.9% within 5 years and 73.8% within 6 years after seroconversion. The cumulative probability of death was 52.1% within 6.5 years following seroconversi on and 52.7% within 1.5 years after a depressed (<200/mm(3)) CD4(+) T cell or onset of an OI. Although several OI associated with immune imp airment were observed, a CD4(+) cell count of <200/mm(3) was the initi al indicator of a failing immune system in more than 50% of the patien ts. Mycobacterium tuberculosis or unidentified acid fast bacilli (pres umed to be M. tuberculosis) and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were th e initial indictors of immune deficiency in the remaining patients.