HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a retrovirus that infects the human immune system cells - particularly T cells and CD4 + makrofaga, a vital component of the immune system of systems "host" - and destroying or damaging their functions. From HIV infection causes rapid reduction of the immune system, which causes immune deficiency. HIV is the basic cause of AIDS.

From the results of the study, all patients with HIV / AIDS that have been entered into the phase seropositive, showed symptoms of hypothyroid.

The term HIV has been used since 1986 (Coffin et al., 1986) as the name for the retrovirus that was first proposed as cause of AIDS by Luc Montagnier of France, who originally called it LAV (lymphadenopathy-associated virus) (Barre-Sinoussi et al., 1983 ) and by Robert Gallo of the United States, who initially named it HTLV-III (human T lymphotropic virus type III) (Popovic et al., 1984).

The phylogenetic tree of the SIV and HIV viruses.

(Click on image for a detailed description.)

HIV is a member of the lentivirus genus , part of the family retroviridae  which is marked by a long latency period and a lipid envelope from the initial host cell surrounding a central protein / RNA. Two species of HIV infect humans: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is a more "virulent" and more easily transmitted, and is the source of most HIV infections worldwide, HIV-2 mostly still stuck in west Africa (Reeves and Doms, 2002). Both species originated in western and central Africa, jumping from primates to humans in a process known as zoonoses.

HIV-1 has evolved from a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz) found in a subspecies of chimpanzee, Pan troglodyte troglodyte. HIV-2 is a species from a different strain of SIV, the sooty mangabeys are found in, old world monkeys Guinea-Bissau (Reeves and Doms, 2002).

Three groups of HIV-1 have been identified based on expression of the viral genome called the enV, namely: M, N and O. Group M env is the genome of the most commonly found with eight different subtypes of the affected geographical factors, among others: B (in the U.S. and Europe), A and D (in Africa), C (in Africa and Asia).

Subsequent infection by different subtypes, circulating recombinant forms cause  (English: circulating recombinant forms, CRF).

Recombinant forms were first discovered AG recombinant from central and western Africa, then the recombinant AGI from Greece and Cyprus, the recombinant AE AB from Russia and southeast Asia. Nevertheless, CRF AE precursor of type E have not been found.

47% infection occurred in all parts of the world is subtype C, 27% of CRF02_AG, 12.3% of subtype B, 4% were subtype D and 4% representing AE CRF, the remaining 5.7% consisted of other subtypes and CRF. Last 95% of HIV research is focused on subtype B, sedangkan several laboratories using subtype C.
[Edit] Transmission

HIV is spread through sexual contact and oral sex, or through the anus, blood transfusions, sharing contaminated needles through drug injection and in health care, and between mothers and their babies during pregnancy, childbirth and lactation. UNAIDS transmission. The use of physical protection such as latex condoms is recommended to reduce HIV transmission through sex. Lately, it is proposed that circumcision can reduce the risk of the spread of HIV , but many experts believe that this is still too early to recommend circumcision man in order to prevent HIV.

At the end of the year 2004 is estimated between 36 to 44 million people living with HIV, 25 million of whom are residents of sub-Saharan Africa. Estimated number of people infected with HIV worldwide in 2004 was between 4.3 million to 6.4 million people. (AIDS epidemic update December 2004).

This outbreak was uneven in the region-specific because there wilayan countries suffer more than others. Even at the state level was no difference in infection levels of different areas. The number of people living with HIV continues to rise in all parts of the world, although it has conducted a variety of strict preventive measures.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the worst-hit region of HIV among pregnant women aged 15-24 years in some countries there. This is alleged to be caused by a large number of venereal disease, the practice cuts the body, blood transfusions, and poor levels of health and nutrition in there (Bentwich et al., 1995). In 2000, WHO estimates that 25% of blood units transfused in Africa are not tested for HIV, and that 10% of HIV infections in the continent occurred through blood.

In Asia, HIV epidemics mainly caused by drug users through needle injections, both between men and intercourse with commercial sex workers, and customers, and their sex partners. Prevention is still inadequate.

HIV is different in structure with a retrovirus that described previously. The magnitude of about 120 nm in diameter (like 120 billion meters, approximately 60 times smaller than red blood cells) and rough "spherical"  Diagram of the HIV virus.