HIV

• HIV structure:

  • Docking glycoprotein
  • Transmembrane glycoprotein
  • Reverse transcriptae
  • Matrix
  • lipid membrane
  • RNA
  • Capside

  
• Core contains genetic material (RNA), proteins and reverse transcriptae
• Reverse transcriptae are important enzymes that are essential for viral reproduction
• The capsid is the outer protein coat
• The envelope is an extra outer layer made out of membrane taken from the host cell
• Protein attachments stick out of the envelope and help the virus attach to the host's T-helper cells
• HIV infects and kills T cells
• Without helper T cells, the immune system cannot produce an effective response to infections
• T cells are important in activating phagocytes, cytotoxin T cells and B cells. Without them, a person can become ill with simple infections
• People infected with HIV develop AIDS when T cell numbers are really low
• HIV doesn't have its own ribosomes and enzymes for replication so it uses the host's
• 6 stages of replication:

  1. Attachement proteins bind to receptor molecule on the T cell's membrane
  2. Capsid releases into host's cytoplasm, unwinds and releases RNA
  3. Complimentary strand is made by reverse transcriptae
  4. DNA inserted into host's DNA
  5. Viral proteins made from DNA in human DNA
  6. Viral proteins assemble into new viruses
• The length of time between someone being infected with HIV and developing AIDS varies (usually 10 years)
• Length of time people survive AIDS varies based on age, strain of virus, existing infections, access to healthcare
• There is no cure but antiviral drugs slow progression
• Best way to control the spread is through education and prevention
• Main symptoms:

  • fever
  • weight loss
  • Pharyngitis
  • Nausea
  • Rash
• Indirect ELISA tests can be used to see if HIV virus antibodies are present