Abstract
Zidovudine monotherapy is an effective treatment for symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, but its use in persons with asymptomatic infection remains controversial. Zidovudine therapy has been associated with a slowing in the clinical progression of disease and with longer survival in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex.
1
In patients with mildly symptomatic HIV disease, zidovudine slowed the rate of progression to more severe stages of disease.
2
,
3
In 1990, the drug was shown to slow the clinical progression to AIDS substantially in persons with asymptomatic HIV infection and fewer than 500 cD4 cells per cubic . . .
