Doctors caring for patients with these rare infections and
researchers studying the mysterious cases were keenly aware of
the obvious gay connection between the first clusters of cases. It was not long before scientists found an important clue as
to why these patients were suffering from atypical, aggressive
infections that led to their total physical deterioration: The
patients’ blood tests showed an exceptionally low number of
T lymphocytes, or T cells, which are a type of white blood cell.
This suggested that their immune system—the body’s natural defense against invading microorganisms and abnormal cells, such as cancerous cells—had been profoundly weakened. The laboratory finding of extremely low numbers of T cells was consistent with the clinical finding of persistently swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, in the armpits, or in the groin of these patients; such lymphadenopathy also suggested a besieged immune system. It was all beginning to make sense. It appeared that the body’s immunity against the routine onslaught of microorganisms had become compromised, leading to a state
This suggested that their immune system—the body’s natural defense against invading microorganisms and abnormal cells, such as cancerous cells—had been profoundly weakened. The laboratory finding of extremely low numbers of T cells was consistent with the clinical finding of persistently swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, in the armpits, or in the groin of these patients; such lymphadenopathy also suggested a besieged immune system. It was all beginning to make sense. It appeared that the body’s immunity against the routine onslaught of microorganisms had become compromised, leading to a state
