The Nation - News from Aug. 29, 1986

Researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Washington reported that although the AIDS virus destroys certain cells that are crucial to the body’s immune system, it causes production of other disease-fighting cells or B-cells to increase dramatically, neutralizing their ability to battle infection. This activity may explain why AIDS victims have high levels of gamma globulin, a substance produced by B-cells, in their blood, the researchers said. It may also explain why patients develop bacterial infections such as pneumonia and meningitis.