Effectiveness of Zidovudine vs. Zidovudine Plus Alpha Interferon vs. Interferon for Treatment of HIV

This study will compare the effectiveness of zidovudine (AZT) alone vs. zidovudine plus interferon (IFN) vs. interferon alone in reducing HIV viral load, lessening immune system deterioration, and increasing the time to development of the first opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients. HIV-infected persons 18 years of age and older with a T4 lymphocyte count of 500/mm3 or more and no current opportunistic infections may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history, physical examination, blood tests, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, urinalysis, and, for patients with Kaposi s sarcoma lesions, measurement, photographs, and biopsy of lesions. Patients will be assigned to receive treatment with either zidovudine alone, zidovudine plus interferon or interferon alone. They will continue treatment until one of the following occurs: * Unacceptable side effects, despite dose modifications * Development of an opportunistic infection * Decrease in CD4 count by 20 percent or to an absolute count of less than 200/mm3 * Rapid progression of Kaposi s sarcoma lesions, requiring alternative therapy * A decision is made to terminate the study Patients will be followed long term for viral load, immune function, development of opportunistic infections, disease progression, and survival.