The human immunodeficiency virus, known more commonly as HIV or by the syndrome it ultimately leads to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDs, is caused by a RNA retrovirus.1 Morphologically, the virus appears spherical in shape and is enveloped made from two layers – both being primarily built using lipids taken from host cell membranes.2 Specifically, human cell membranes are taken up by the virus as it buds from the host cell2 after the host cell approaches death from the inability to meet its own physiological needs. Likewise, because the hosts’ membrane coats or more accurately ‘envelopes’ the virus, the hosts’ proteins are embedded within the membrane and on the membrane’s surface as well.2 However, the last essential component to the virus’ morphology is the proteins that aren’t from the host that are also embedded into the envelope. In fact, these proteins called Env proteins are a complex HIV protein encoded for by the virus which is produced by the host, but not inherent to the host cell itself. What this Env proteins on the viral envelope do is that they form a cap made of three glycoprotein 120 (gp120) molecules as well as an attached stem for those 3 gp120 molecules made of glycoprotein 41 (gp41) that, when combined, act as a virulence factor by helping to both maintain the host cell membrane-envelope stability and to act as a means of attaching to more host cells as well.2 Moving on away from the envelope, the capsid of HIV is bullet-shaped, and made up mainly with about 2000 copies of viral protein p24 which surround 2 single-stranded RNA molecules characteristic of HIV.2
Continuing on from the inside of HIV, the RNA strands it carries may encode for virulence factor genes. Notable genes include nef which i...
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...n even faster change in antigenic proteins.1 Despite many companies and organizations developing promising vaccines during clinical trials, to this date no effective vaccine for HIV, or “AIDS vaccine” has been developed as of yet. The most recent clinical trial for a HIV vaccine was for HVTN 505 which was a combination a DNA vaccine that encoded for artificially modelled surface and internal structures similar to that of HIV (to be produced by host cells to prime immune system), alongside a recombinant DNA vaccine using adenovirus 5 as a live vector vaccine (meaning that this vector displayed common HIV antigens).6 HVTN 505 was a failure, but people around the world have not given up hope on finding a vaccine or cure for HIV and AIDs, and they likely won’t for many years to come as long as hundreds of thousands of people continue to die from this disease every year.
There is no vaccine for HIV, but there are some drugs that can extend their lives. Some of the treatments that are offered are very expensive and are not available to all people with HIV. Also, these treatments do not work for about 20% of people who have tried them. Some of the best ways to avoid contracting HIV is to abstain from sexual intercourse and from sharing needles if you do drugs. Do not share personal items that may be contaminated with blood.
Human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system transmitted between people by the mixing of bodily fluids. It is an extremely deadly disease that has killed over thirty-six mi...
The HIV epidemic hits nowhere else in the world harder than Sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the entire world’s cases of HIV. In her book, “The Invisible Cure”, writer Helen Epstein explores the myriad of reasons as to why the HIV outbreak is so alarming as well as differentiated than any other area of the world. Epstein explores how cultural factors influence individual behaviors as well as generations that grow up under these cultural conditions, how political involvement (or lack thereof) can often misinform people, and how structural levels of privilege allows less opportunity for those in poverty to obtain the help that they may need.
The Vel' d'Hiv Roundup came at a horrible point in the history of the world. The Holocaust is hands down one of the worst tragedies to have happened ever. When one thinks of the Holocaust you think of the Nazis and all the wrong they did but it wasn’t just the Nazis they had to have help. The Vel d’Hiv Roundup is an example of the help the Nazis received.
HIV is a virus that can be sexually transmitted, obtained through hypodermic needles or contaminated blood transfusions, or passed on from mother to child through pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. It starts off with flu-like symptoms, then it interferes with the immune system, making people prone to illnesses. Their immune system becomes very vulnerable. Sadly, there is no cure for HIV. Research shows that HIV originated in Africa; however, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was not recognized until 1981. HIV is a source of heavy castigation and it causes economic problems as well, especially count...
The virus is primarily spherical shaped and roughly 200nm in size, surrounded by a host-cell derived membrane. Its genome is minus-sense single-stranded RNA 16-18 kb in length. It contains matrix protein inside the envelope, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, fusion protein, nucleocapsid protein, and L and P proteins to form the RNA polymerase. The host-cell receptors on the outside are hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. The virus is allowed to enter the cell when the hemagglutinin/ neuraminidase glycoproteins fuse with the sialic acid on the surface of the host cell, and the capsid enters the cytoplasm. The infected cells express the fusion protein from the virus, and this links the host cells together to create syncitia.
The lack of effective vaccines and antiviral drugs for AIDS has spurred speculation that the funding for AIDS research is insufficient. Although the actual amount of government funding for AIDS research is large, most of these funds are used for expensive clinical studies to evaluate new drugs. Many scientists believe that not enough is known about the basic biology of HIV and recommend shifting the emphasis of AIDS research to basic research that could ultimately result in more effective medicines.
For my final paper I chose to write about the treatment of HIV and AIDS. At first I will explain what HIV and AIDS are, what they can do to your body and how to get infected. After that I will outline what the pros and the cons of HIV and AIDS treatments are.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retro virus that causes AIDS. HIV is a virus that can only be contracted between human to human. HIV weakens your immune system because this virus is destroying cells that fight diseases and infection in your body. A virus can only produce itself by taking over a cell in the body of its h...
People infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have a sequential destruction of CD4 T cells which always lead to a weakening of the immune system. Despite the reduction of CD4 T cells, the macrophages and dendritic cells are also affected by HIV. Moreover, HIV causes a dysfunctionality in B cells, CD8 T cells, and innate immune system cells (Shipley, 2013). For instance, the reduction of perforin production and IFN-γ secretion in CD8 T cells cannot help effector T cells to destruct virus-infected cells (Kuerten et al., 2008). The reduc...
HIV affects the immune system, especially a type of T cells (CD4 cells). Over time, HIV destroys the overal...
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the immune system and weakens people 's defense systems against infections and some types of cancer. As the virus destroys and impairs the function of immune cells, infected individuals gradually become immunodeficient. Immune function is typically measured by CD4 cell count. Immunodeficiency results in increased susceptibility to a wide range of infections and diseases that people with healthy immune systems can fight off. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which can take from 2 to 15 years to develop depending on the individual. AIDS is defined by the development of certain cancers, infections, or other severe clinical manifestations.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) first came to light in 1981. There has been a long and arduous global effort on the prevention of HIV/AIDS. HIV is a virus that is spread through body fluids that affect the specific T-cells of the immune system. Without treatment HIV infection leads to AIDS and there is no cure for AIDS. HIV infection can be controlled and the importance of primary pre...
No cure or vaccine now exists for AIDS. Many of those infected with HIV may not