title: The HIV/AIDS epidemic: its evolutionary implications for human ecology with special reference to the immune system.
abstract: The epidemiology of AIDS in Africa is discussed. Serological and clinical data on virology and population genetics are related to current theories of heterosexual transmission and to cultural practices involving the exchange or transmission of body fluids between individuals, such as female and male genital mutilation and indigenous or 'folk' medicine, as well as non-Western medical uses of medical syringes. A review of the relationship of autoimmune conditions, graft-vs-host disease and the retrovirus/oncogene involvement is presented. These data place in a new perspective concepts of widespread heterosexual infection and transmission of HIVs as well as their relation to AIDS in the context of the evolution of the human immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, San Francisco State University, CA 94132, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Caldararo
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D000349:Africa; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006205:Haiti; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000009:adverse effects; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D013242:Sterilization / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral