Notes on Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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Notes on Virology
Notes on Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Human Immunodeficiency Virus:
• Positive-sense; ssRNA virus.
Genes:
Gag: structural proteins.
Pol: reverse transcriptase/integrase/protease.
Env: gp120/gp41.
Tat: upregulator of transcription.
Rev: upregulator of transport of products of transcription to cytoplasm.
Nef: downregulator.
1. gp120 binds CD4 of TH cells/macrophages/microglia.
2. HIV taken into cell; RNA uncoated.
3. dsDNA made from RNA using reverse transcriptase.
4. dsDNA integrated into host DNA; provirus made; provirus remains in host DNA.
5. Transcription of host DNA also produces viral ss (+) RNAs.
6. New proteins made
7. Assembly.
8. Maturation/release.
CDC categories:
A: acute or asymptomatic; persistent generalized lymphadenopathy.
B: symptomatic; candidiasis; hairy leukoplakia; PID; peripheral neuropathy; idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
C: AIDS defining conditions; fungal/carcinomas/viral/parasitic/bacterial infections.
Diagnosis:
• Screening: ELISA.
• Confirmation: Western blot / immunofluorescence.
• Detection of infection in newborns of HIV+ moms: DNA/PCR.
Additional Readings:
Basic Virology
1. Immune defences against viruses
2. Viral Hepatitis
3. DNA viruses
4. Positive-sense RNA viruses
5. Human Immunodeficiency Virus
6. Negative sense RNA viruses
7. Double stranded RNA Viruses
8. Viruses associated with cancer
9. Generalized vs Specialized Transduction
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Page accessed on: July 29, 2010, 11:42 am.