Acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Northern Ireland.

The first descriptions of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were from the USA in 19811-3 although it is probable the first cases occurred in 1979.2 In Great Britain the first case occurred in 1981.4 In both countries there has been an exponential rise in the numbers of cases. The syndrome is defined by the Center for Diseases Control, Atlanta, Georgia, as characterised by opportunistic infections and malignant diseases in patients without a known cause for immunodeficiency.5 There is now little doubt that the disease is caused by a human T cell lymphotrophic virus type III passed by sexual transmission or parenteral infusion of infected blood products.6