Mucosal origin of AIDS.
The natural history of AIDS implies sexual and breast-milk transmission of HIV across the mucosal lining of digestive and reproductive organs. Intraepithelial mucosal lymphocytes specialized in handling foods, air-borne, and microbial pathogens crossing the mucosal barrier represent up to 90% of immunocompetent cells in a human body. Enteropathy and respiratory infections, the main symptoms and cause of death in AIDS, are attributed to the failure of mucosal immunity.
Bourinbaiar
A S
AS
Department of Pediatrics, NYU Medical Center, NY 10016.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D004064:Digestive System; D005835:Genitalia; D006801:Humans; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000382:microbiology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*