AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome)

y AIDS was first reported in 1981.

y It was first detected in homosexual males in USA at Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta.
y It has resulted to more than 25 million deaths.
y HIV I is more common in India and HIV II is more common in West Africa.
y It is characterized by decrease in number of helper T-cells.
y HIV (Human Immuno Deficiency Virus)
○ It is roughly spherical
○ It is around 60 times smaller than a red blood cell,
○ It is composed of two copies of single-stranded RNA
○ The RNAs are enclosed by a conical capsid composed of 2,000 copies of the viral protein p24.
○ The RNA is tightly bound to nucleocapsid proteins
○ A matrix composed of the viral protein p17 surrounds the capsid.
○ The matrix is surrounded by the viral envelope that is composed of two layers of phospholipids.
○ A viral protein and some host proteins are embedded in the envelope. This glycoprotein enables
the virus to attach to and fuse with target cells

Figure 8.5: Human Immuno-deficiency Virus

y Modes of transfer
○ Due to unprotected sexual intercourse with infected partners.
○ Contact of blood with infected tissue/blood.
○ Use of unsterilized material for tattooing or any practice that punctures the skin.
○ From mother to fetus during pregnancy.
○ From mother to child during lactation.
○ AIDS does not spread through mere touch, hugging, sharing meals, shaking hands, mosquito
bites, coughing, sneezing etc.
y Infection
○ After getting into the body of the person, the virus enters into macrophages.
○ Here the RNA genome of the virus replicates to form viral DNA and makes use of the cellular
machinery to produce more and more virus particles.
○ HIV enters T-helper cells and continue to multiply.
○ The progeny viruses are released in the blood. They attack other T-helper cells.
○ This leads to a progressive decrease in the number of T-helper cells.
○ The person suffers from fever, diarrhoea and weight loss.
○ Due to decrease in the number of T-helper cells, the person suffers from infections that the immune
system otherwise could have overcome.
○ The person becomes immuno-deficient.

Multiplication cycle of Retrovirus

Symptoms
y Asymptomatic phase
○ For 5-10 years antibodies are not produced against HIV.
○ There are no specific symptoms.
○ ELISA test comes out to be negative.
○ A fever and some illness may occur in 2-4 weeks after the infection.
y Full blown AIDS
○ The person suffers from fever, diarrhoea and weight loss.
○ The person becomes immunodeficient.
○ The person gets infected by opportunistic infections.
○ The person may suffer from Kaposi’s sarcoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, primary central nervous
system lymphoma and cervical cancer.
○ Suffering from Pneumonia, TB is possible.
y Diagnosis
○ ELISA- Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay-
○ It is a sensitive test for detection of proteins.
○ Western Blot test for antibodies against HIV in the patient’s serum.
○ PCR based test.
y Treatment
○ Reverse transcriptase inhibitors- Zidovudine (previously called AZT), Stavudine, Trizivir, Foscarnet,
DDI (Didexymidine) etc.
○ Protease inhibitors-Ritonavir, Nelfinavir etc.
○ HAART (Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy) includes both reverse transcriptase inhibitors and
protease inhibitor drugs.
○ Treatment does not cure. Only helps to reduce viral load.
y Prevention
○ Use of appropriate contraceptives/protection (condoms) during sexual intercourse.
○ Proper sterilization of surgical equipment.
○ Use of disposable instruments for any body puncture practice.
○ Avoiding intra-venous drug use and sharing of needles, razors etc.
○ Creating social awareness.