title: The evolution of HIV and its consequences.
abstract: Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in 1981, HIV-1 has demonstrated an amazing ability to mutate. HIV-1 was introduced into the human population in the early to mid twentieth century in central Africa. During ensuing decades, this extraordinary mutational capacity has resulted in the circulation of HIV-1 strains that are quite different from one another, yet still remarkably pathogenic. The potential impact of this viral diversity on treatment, monitoring,and vaccine development is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Tulane National Primate Research Center and Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA.
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Apetrei
authors.forename: Preston A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000266:history; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000266:history* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000235:genetics; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines