title: The human immunodeficiency virus.
abstract: There indeed seems to be a new mood of optimism in researchers and clinicians studying HIVs and patients infected with these viruses. A new understanding of the virology, biology, and therapy of HIV-1 includes the following: (1) The level of HIV-1 viremia, as measured by the HIV-1 plasma RNA, is a critical determinant of the time to development of AIDS and death. (2) Lessons from nonprogressors or long-term survivors, who do not develop AIDS or immune impairment despite their long-term infection, show clearly that the HIV-1 replication is significantly lower (4 to 20 times) than in people with progressive disease, and there is a vigorous and specific immune response against HIV-1. (3) Reducing viremia with antiretroviral drugs can delay the onset of AIDS and prolong survival. (4) Combination drug therapies, including an RT inhibitor and a PR inhibitor, can lower viremia to undetectable levels and delay the development of drug-resistant HIV-1. (5) HIV-1 subgroups have marked geographically distinct distributions, which may specify the routes of infection in different populations at risk.
authors.affiliation: Center for Infectious Diseases, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Hardy
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006678:HIV / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014764:Viral Proteins