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How did Robert Gallo confirm that HIV causes AIDS?

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AIDS Scanning electron micrograph of HIV-1 virions (green) budding from a cultured lymphocyte. Multiple round bumps on the cell surface represent sites of virion assembly and budding.

After French researchers led by Luc Montagnier first isolated the virus in 1983, they sent samples to American virologist Robert C. Gallo for more detailed characterization.1

Gallo, who had previously contributed to the discovery of the first known human retrovirus, utilized his expertise to help establish the link between the virus and AIDS. By performing this detailed analysis, Gallo provided the necessary evidence to confirm that HIV was the causative agent of the syndrome. Additionally, his work was instrumental in the subsequent development of a blood test used to detect the virus. While there was historical controversy regarding the initial isolation of the virus, it is now widely acknowledged that Montagnier’s team at the Pasteur Institute first identified it.12