HTLV-3

His local hospital called and warned he may have been exposed to HIV, or HTLV-3 as the virus was then known.

It soon became clear that LAV, HTLV-3 and a third virus — subsequently isolated by researcher Jay Levy — were variants of the same pathogen.

Dr Gallo called his discovery HTLV-3.

But the name, HTLV-3, placed it in the wrong category, and the incorrect classification caused confusion until the agent was correctly identified as HIV.

But the name, HTLV-3, placed it in the wrong category, and the incorrect classification caused confusion until the agent was correctly identified as H.I.V.