Abstract
Over the past few years, considerable technical effort has been directed to developing molecular methods that would allow an effective approach to the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and its monitoring. Indeed, quantitative molecular techniques have opened the way for a new type of direct study of untreated and treated HIV-1 infected subjects. The understanding of the immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection has increased significantly with the introduction of advanced virological and molecular methods for accurate quantitative analysis of HIV-1 activity; powerful methodologies answer (directly and in real time) most questions generated by pathogenic research and by the novel anti-viral strategies introduced in clinical practice. The data from pilot diagnostic applications of quantitative techniques have clarified important features of the natural history of HIV-1 infection. Moreover, an increasing amount of data indicate the need for second-level laboratory facilities for the clinical management of infected patients; virological aspects and some genetic features of the hosts concerning HIV-1 co-receptors (all the co-receptors so far identified are members of, or related to, the transmembrane, chemokine-receptor family) need to be elucidated for the complete diagnostic evaluation of HIV-1 infected subjects.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 64-68 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
Publication status | Published - Jan 1997 |
Keywords
- Co-receptors
- HIV-1
- Receptors
- Transcripts
- Viral dynamics
- Viral load
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Endocrinology
- Physiology (medical)
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Physiology
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)