New Concepts in AIDS Pathogenesis

This resource offers comprehensive explanations of current theories on the pathogenesis of AIDS, examining in detail current data on the role that HIV and its possible cofactors play in the decline of immune system function and the progressive depletion of T lymphocytes. Information is provided on mycoplasmas - a potentially critical component in virus replication and immune activation.;Revealing research studies in support of the theoretical approaches presented, this volume: updates the mechanisms of HIV latency and activation of expression at both the viral and cellular levels in the human and primate systems; emphasizes the role of cytokines in the dysfunction of the immune and central nervous systems; describes the mechanisms of immune activation that result in anergy and programmed cell death involving the viral external glycoprotein and possible other foreign antigens or superantigens; and explicates original hypotheses on pathogenesis where virus glycoproteins may mimic allogenic stimulation and disturb the immune system network.;This reference is intended for immunologists, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, virologists, molecular and cell biologists, parasitologists and pathologists.