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AIDS dementia complex 27 AIRE gene
ZAIRE
AIDS dementia complex
Up to two thirds of AIDS patients may develop central nervous
system signs and symptoms, such as sustained cognitive
behavior and motor impairment believed to be associated
with infection of microglial cells with the HIV-1 virus. This
may be due to the structural similarity of gp120 of HIV-1
to neuroleukin. Patients have memory loss, are unable to
concentrate, have poor coordination of gait, and have altered
psychomotor function, among other symptoms. The subcortical
white matter and deep gray matter degenerate, lateral and
posterior spinal cord columns show white matter vacuolization,
and the gp120 of HIV serves as a calcium channel
inhibitor, causing toxic levels of calcium within neurons.
AIDS embryopathy
A condition in children born to HIV-infected mothers who
are intravenous drug abusers. Affected children have craniofacial
region defects that include microcephaly, hypertelorism,
cube-shaped head, saddle nose, widened palpebral
fissures with bluish sclera, triangular philtrum, and widely
spreading lips.
AIDS encephalopathy
AIDS dementia. Refer to AIDS dementia complex.
AIDS enteropathy
A condition that may be seen in patients with AIDS-related
complex marked by diarrhea (especially nocturnal), wasting,
possibly fever, and defective d-xylose absorption,
leading to malnutrition. The small intestine may demonstrate
atrophy of villi and hyperplasia of crypts. Both small
and large intestines may reveal diminished plasma cells,
elevated intraepithelial lymphocytes, and viral inclusions.
AIDS-related complex (ARC)
A preamble to AIDS that consists of a constellation of symptoms
and signs including a temperature above 38°C, a greater
than 10% loss of body weight, lymphadenopathy, diarrhea,
night sweats of more than 3 months’ duration, and fatigue.
Laboratory findings include CD4 + T lymphocyte levels of less
than 0.4 × 10 9 , a CD4 to CD8 T lymphocyte ratio below 1.0,
leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. There may be a
decreased response to PHA, principally a T cell mitogen, and
anergy, manifested as failure to respond to skin tests. In contrast,
a polyclonal gammopathy may be present. A diagnosis
of ARC requires at least two of the clinical manifestations and
two of the laboratory findings listed above.
AIDS serology
Within 3 to 6 weeks after infection with HIV-1, high levels
of HIV p24 antigen are found in the plasma. One week to
3 months following infection, an HIV-specific immune
response results in the formation of antibodies against
SUDAN
UGANDA
TANZANIA
AIDS belt.
Relative Concentration
KENYA
4–8
weeks
SOMALIA
2–12
years
Infectious virus in plasma
HIV-specific CTL
Antibodies to HIV env
Antibodies to HIV p24
AIDS serology.
2–3
years
0–1
years
HIV envelope protein gp120 and HIV core protein p24.
HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes are also formed.
The result of this adaptive immune response is a dramatic
decline in viremia and a clinically asymptomatic phase
lasting 2 to 12 years. As CD4 + T cell numbers decrease,
the patient becomes clinically symptomatic. HIV-specific
antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes decline, and p24
antigen increases.
AIDS treatment
Although no drug is curative, zidovudine (azidothymidine-
AZT), ddC (dideoxycytidine), and ddI (dideoxyinosine)
are effective in delaying progression of the disease. Many
experimental preparations are under investigation, such as
DAB/486 IL-2, which is cytotoxic for high-affinity IL-2
receptors expressed on HIV-infected T lymphocytes.
AIDS vaccine
Several experimental AIDS vaccines are under investigation.
HIV-2 inoculation into cynomolgus monkeys
apparently prevented them from developing simian AIDS
following injection of the SIV virus.
AIDS virus
See human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
AILA
Abbreviation for angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy.
AIRE gene
Abbreviation for the autoimmune regulator gene mapped to
chromosome region 21q22.3 mutations in the autoimmune
regulator gene. Responsible for autoimmune polyendocrinopathy–candidiasis–ectodermal
dystrophy (APECED).
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