Microbiology

1981: in the US, cluster of Pneumocystis and Kaposi's sarcoma discovered in young homosexual men. The men showed loss of immune function.

1983: Discovery of virus causing loss of immune function

Crossed the species barrier into humans in Africa in the 1930s

Patients who died in 1959 in Congo is the oldest known case

Spread worldwide through modern transportation and unsafe sexual practices

Virus destroys T4 lymphocytes (T_H cells)

• No T_H cells = no immunity
• -affects B cell activation which then affects Ab production

Attachment--some ppl have defective host cell receptors

Fusion

Entry

Phase 1: asymptomatic or chronic lympademopathy

Phase 2: symptomatic; early indications of immune failure

Phase 3: AIDS indicator conditions

Use condoms

Use sterile needles (IDUs)

Circumcision

• Health care workers use universal precautions:
• -wear gloves, gowns, masks, goggles
• -do not recap needles
• -risk of infection from infected needlestick injury is 0.3%

Mutations

Clades

Antibody-binding sites "hidden"

Infected cells not susceptible to CTLs

Proviruses

Latent viruses

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Protease inhibitors

Fusion inhibitors

Highly active antiretroviral therapy

• combinations of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus:
• -non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or
• -protease inhibitor