Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
THE ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)
Recent Adv Clin Oncol; 2:105-19 1986. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/88640180 Mansell PW; Dept. of Clinical Cancer Prevention, Univ. of Texas System Cancer; Center, M.D. Anderson Hosp. and Tumor Inst., Houston, TX
Abstract:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is reviewed, including its etiology and epidemiology, incidence, and associated diseases, such as Kaposi's sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, atypical mycobacterial diseases, disseminated candidiasis, CNS complications, pneumonic or intestinal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, or intestinal parasitoses. Recommendations for treating AIDS-associated complications are included. AIDS is a new disease syndrome characterized by profound abnormalities in cell-mediated immunity, the consequences of which are an increased incidence of some rare forms of malignancy and opportunistic infections. The cause of AIDS is considered to be human T leukemia/lymphoma virus type III, although it is clear that a number of other factors, such as life style, previous experience with infections such as CMV and Epstein-Barr virus, iv drug abuse, and nutritional and other factors also contribute. Because of the peculiar circumstances in which AIDS patients find themselves, the treatment of the associated malignancies and opportunistic infections is complicated, demanding, on the one hand, treatment not likely to compromise the immune system further and, on the other hand, extreme urgency when dealing with infectious diseases. The most logical and exciting possibilities are to concentrate on the prevention of AIDS by immune restoration coupled with antiviral measures. Immune restoration in AIDS patients might also make possible the prevention of the other malignant and infectious diseases. It does seem likely that AIDS will spread into the general population, although this probably will not occur rapidly. It is concluded that the precautions necessary for protecting the general public are dictated by common sense, and there is no necessity whatever for AIDS victims to be isolated any further than is already the case. (113 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*DIAGNOSIS/THERAPY Antibodies, Viral/ANALYSIS Human HIV/IMMUNOLOGY Interferons/THERAPEUTIC USE Life Style Opportunistic Infections/DIAGNOSIS Risk Factors JOURNAL ARTICLE
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
