ABSTRACT
HIV infection is associated with gradual deterioration in immune function, which can be quantified by measuring the number and proportion of T-cells expressing the CD4 cell surface marker. The decrease in T-cell count is accompanied by the occurrence of opportunistic infections and malignancies, increasing in severity over time and associated with mortality. Although HIV-related neoplasia is associated with decreasing immunity, the relationship is less clear than for the major opportunistic infections such as atypical mycobacterium.
