The Safety and Effectiveness of Ribavirin in the Early Stages of HIV-Infection

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Allowed: Acyclovir. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following symptoms and conditions are excluded: CDC classification group IV A (ARC). CDC classification group IV C-1 (AIDS) and IV C-2 (including Thrush or Herpes zoster during the past 2 years). Positive plasma p24 antigen. Unstable medical condition, including serious cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, neurologic, infectious, or oncologic condition even if unrelated to HIV infection. Splenectomy. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: Isoprinosine. Patients with the following are excluded: Failure to give informed consent. CDC classification group IV A (ARC). CDC classification group IV C-1 (AIDS) and IV C-2 (including Thrush or Herpes zoster during the past 2 years). Positive plasma p24 antigen. Unstable medical condition, including serious cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, neurologic, infectious, or oncologic condition even if unrelated to HIV infection. Splenectomy. Prior Medication: Excluded within 4 weeks of start of screening tests: Zidovudine. Other drug with scientifically accepted anti-HIV properties. Scientifically accepted immunostimulant treatment. Immunosuppressant. Myelosuppressant or other known toxic drugs. HIV infection group II (CDC), asymptomatic HIV infection. HIV antibody positive by Western blot with antibodies to p24 band and GP160 band and/or GP41. Two positive tests during screening will be required. CDC HIV infection group II, asymptomatic HIV infection, as defined in Appendix A, or CDC HIV infection group III, persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL, formerly LAS). OKT4+ lymphocyte count greater than 300 cells/mm3 and less than 600 cells/mm3. The counts will be determined on three separate evaluations separated by at least 7 days between evaluations. These three counts will be averaged and for inclusion in the study the mean of the OKT4+ lymphocyte count must be greater than 200 cells/mm3 and less than 600 cells/mm3. Conclusion of screening tests: Within 42 days of starting them. Patients must be entered into the study within 14 days of screening completion. Ability to participate as outpatient: Ambulatory, competent to sign informed consent, and able to cooperate with the treatment plan and evaluation schedule. Informed consent: Must be signed before randomization to treatment. Physical activity evaluation with Karnofsky score greater than or equal to 90.