Dispelling myths and focusing on notable concepts in HIV pathogenesis

Trends Mol Med. 2015 Jun;21(6):341-53. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2015.03.004. Epub 2015 Apr 13.

Abstract

Since the discovery of HIV over three decades ago, major efforts have been made to control and perhaps eliminate HIV infection worldwide. During these studies, certain myths or misconceptions about this infectious disease have been emphasized and other potentially beneficial concepts have received less attention. A true long-term solution to HIV infection merits an appreciation of alternative ideas and findings that could be beneficial in the ultimate control of HIV/AIDS. Here, I discuss six issues and call for more attention to the science of HIV and well-designed clinical trials.

Keywords: HIV misconceptions; cure; innate and adaptive immunity; vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • HIV / drug effects*
  • HIV / immunology*
  • HIV / isolation & purification
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents