A Review of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, can result in a wide range of clinical consequences varying from asymptomatic disease to a life threatening opportunistic infections. 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Constant viral replication results in depletion of peripheral and mucosal CD4 lymphocyte count and function causes secondary opportunistic infections leading to chronic diarrhea. Gut associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) is an important location for HIV virus replication and pathogenesis, targeting mucosal CD4 lymphocytes. It is suggested that the inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is initiated and propagated by an aggressive cell-mediated immune response to an unknown antigen in genetically susceptible host, GALT associated CD4 lymphocyte plays an important role in pathogenesis of IBD. HIV infection and IBD can coexist in the same person. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>

HIV-1 Capsid as a Target for Antiviral Therapy

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the causative virus responsible for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), for which there is still no protective vaccine.

Since 1983, more than34 million people have been infected with HIV across the world, with 1.5million people dying as a result of complications from infection each year. HIV-1 virions mainly infect cells of the immune system and lead to a gradual reduction in the proportion of CD4+ T cells. This in turn causes a significant decrease in the patient’s ability to mount an immune response, and they die as a result of opportunistic infection. HIV-1 thus remains a major pathogenic threat to human health worldwide.  Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Asthma in HIV-Infected Population: A Review of Respiratory Symptoms, Pulmonary Function Abnormalities and Pathophysiology

Several studies have investigated prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the HIV-infected population. Before anti-retroviraltherapy (ART), there was a high prevalence of dyspnea and cough in this population. 

These studies showed low CD4 cell counts, history of smoking and intravenous drug use, and previous history of pneumonia were associated with increased risk of dyspnea and cough symptoms. More recent studies in the post-ART era show that respiratory symptoms continue to be common in HIV-infected individuals, with the prevalence of cough ranging from 23-37% and prevalence of dyspnea ranging from 16-44%. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

How to find anti-microbial peptides that are potential therapeutic agents against HIV?

Recently scientists developed an In Silico mathematical algorithm and Profile Hidden Markov Models (HMMER)method for identification of peptides that can be a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of HIV. By these methods we can identify the peptides that can inhibit HIV replication.Since the discovery of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) more than 30 years ago, the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is considered as one of the major clinical diseases and a health problem around the globe, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The driving force behind the development of High Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) for HIV treatment hasbeen inevitable due to the emergence of HIV progression. This demand has continuously been met by the pharmaceutical industry by developing new drugs or by modifying the existing medication in a timely fashion. Notwithstanding these advancements, the rapid emergence of resistance to current treatment regimens is even a greater problem for life-threatening HIV infections due to single class of HAART treatment and non-adherence to medication, therefore a daunting clinical problem.  Read more..............