Hiv And Its Effects On Acute Infection

million Americans live with it everyday. Many of you may wonder: what makes this disease so dangerous? Well, out of all these infected people, one in eight are not even aware that this virus is currently multiplying in their bloodstream (CDC). This ignorance stems from the fact that HIV initially lies latent in the body for up to ten years. After this period, it becomes a sneaky killer by destroying the white blood cells of the immune system. When your body no longer has a

As have been described above, HIV can have a potential effect on immunological cells, which are important to protect the body from additional infections such as Tuberculosis (TB), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other viral or bacterial infections. An effective treatment is needed to reconstruct what HIV has damaged. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a common treatment to stop the viral replication and decrease the disease progression, which may lead to a vast decline of the morbidity and mortality. The standard treatment involves a combination of at least three drugs; often known as a highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) where the most common types are Nucleoside reverse transcriptase

during the window period, an interval of three weeks to six months between the time of HIV-1

HIV is a member of the lentivirus family. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Although both types infect cells in similar ways and appear to cause clinically indistinguishable AIDS, studies showed that HIV-1 is the predominant virus type. Infections of HIV-2 are: 1) rarely found outside of West Africa (de Silva et al., 2008), and 2) seldom progressed to AIDS or lead to HAND (Rowland-Jones and Whittle, 2007). On the other hand, more than 34 million individuals were infected by HIV-1 by the end of 2009 (UNAIDS, 2010). Currently, four strains of HIV-1 have been identified: the major group M, the outlier group O and two new groups N and P. At least 9 genetically distinct subtypes, designated as clades A, B, C,

Since the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was discovered in 1983 by Francoise Barrè-Sinoussi and colleagues (reviewed by Weiss, 2013) an estimated 70 million people have been infected with this retrovirus (WHO, 2013). Of these, close to half have died of the clinical manifestation of the infection called AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Although tremendous progress has been made, including accurate testing of patients and donated blood, development of effective anti-retroviral therapy (ART) drugs, and viral load testing to track patient progress, the antigenic diversity of the viral coat has stymied the development of an effective vaccine (reviewed by Weiss, 2013).

Human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) is characterized by secondary infections, cognitive and behavioral impairments, and neurological impairments (Reid et al. 2001; Vigorito et al. 2007; Lashomb et al. 2009; Moran et al. 2014; Bertrand et al. 2014; Roscoe et al. 2014). In 1996, the development of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART), which combines three or more antiretroviral drugs in combination, improved life expectancy for those with HIV-1 (CDC, 2014). However, despite the advent of CART, the total incidence of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive impairment has remained the same (Moran et al. 2012). HIV-1 can be characterized by studies conducted in epidemiology, the creation of the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat model, studies of spatial learning, and dendritic alterations in HIV-1 rats.

A healthy individual’s immune system is able to combat pathogens, bacteria, infections and viruses that he or she may encounter on a daily basis. This becomes much harder for the individual once he or she is infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2015) defines HIV as a virus that attacks the immune system. The immune system is the body’s natural ability to protect itself against infections and diseases (CDC, 2015). When the immune system is damaged, the human body loses the ability to fight off disease and infections (CDC, 2015). The HIV virus is different from other viruses due to the fact that once the HIV virus enters the human body; the immune system could

It has been three decades since the discovery of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, which is shockingly one of the few viruses that is incurable. Since being first recognized there has been extraordinary advances in understanding the virus, possible treatments, and prevention. Decades of studying the virus has directed researches toward treatments that help people living with HIV live sustainable lives. Most importantly, is the search for an end to this epidemic through controlling and ultimately ending HIV and an eventual AIDS. AIDS researchers are aggressively pushing 3 key areas of research. First, finding the actual amount of people infected with HIV through voluntary tests and pressing the important of ART (antiretroviral treatment), the only treatment for a sustainably living with HIV. Second, researches are trying to find a cure for HIV which would eliminate the need for lifelong ART. Lastly, preventing any more infections, considering HIV has infected 2.6 million people annually. (Dieffenbach, C. W., Fauci, A. S. 2011)

According to International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) (2016) in 1983, scientists and researchers discovered that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) directly causes the immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Unfortunately, over 40 million of people worldwide have died due to AIDS and other complications relating to AIDS (IAVI, 2016). HIV and AIDS have spread over the world in drastic speed and caused one of the most destructive pandemics ever recorded throughout history. Despite the advancements and availability, yet very expensive antiretroviral treatments available, fifteen million of people are currently living with HIV (IAVI, 2016). Fortunately, the total yearly count of AIDS-related deaths and number of new HIV infections has declined in the last decade (IAVI, 2016). However, much more technological, medicinal and research advancements need to be developed in order to address this destructive virus.

“With CD4+ lymphocytes, HIV replication can cause syncytium formation and cell death; with other cells, such as macrophages, persistent infection can occur, creating reservoirs for the virus in many cells and tissues” (Levy, 1993, p. 205). Therefore, HIV-infected cells are present throughout the body in the blood

The human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus (retrovirus), which attacks Helper T cells, specifically CD4 lymphocytes causing the progressive deterioration of the immune system.4 Initially when HIV is contracted, there is a period if 2 to 6 weeks called ‘seroconversion’ where HIV antibodies are not detectable. During this period the patient may experience flu-like symptoms due to the initial immune reaction.4 Next, there is a clinical, asymptomatic phase, which can last up to 10 years, and during this time the CD4 count decreases, causing gradual immunodeficiency. This lead to opportunistic infections such as oral candidiasis (thrush).4 Eventually, the AIDS stage of the disease is reached and there are more serious opportunistic infections and malignancies.

The Human immunodeficiency virus type1 (HIV-1) was first isolated in 1983, and firmly associated with the Acquired immunodeficiency

Human immuno deficiency virus, (HIV) belongs to the genus Lentivirinae, a Retroviridae, which is a family of enveloped retro viruses. It was first described in 1983, when a case of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was reported, two years earlier. The disease was characterised by immunocompromised patients that were more susceptible to opportunistic pathogens, along with a dramatic decrease in the CD4 T cell count. It has since been discovered that there are two types of HIV, HIV-1, and HIV-2. Each one endemic in different parts of the world, however HIV-1 is more virulent, and is responsible for the most cases of AIDS worldwide. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK27126/

HIV becomes drug resistance when the ARV treatments’ are not adhered to. Once the patient has taken their antiretroviral (ARVs) medication then stops the HIV is able to replicate and will do so at a rapid rate. As a result mutations are very common (Jen Gorgan and Ruth Suter;2009)

The HIV Infection progresses through a number of stages. As shown in Figure 2. The acute infection stage is associated with a rapid increase of the viral copies up to several millions per ml with a slow decline in the CD4+ T cells. During the first few weeks