Immunopathogenesis of HIV encephalitis. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Immunopathogenesis of HIV encephalitis.

Brain Pathol. 1991 Apr;1(3):177-84. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/94122949
Achim CL; Schrier RD; Wiley CA; Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La; Jolla 92093-0612.

Abstract: HIV infection leads to severe immunosuppression and in a sub-population of patients, encephalitis. Whether systemic immunosuppression is required for CNS infection is still unclear. However, latent infection of monocytes/macrophages is an important mechanism by which HIV escapes immune surveillance and enters the CNS. Unlike other viral encephalitides, HIV predominantly infects macrophages/microglia and not neurons and glia. These cells produce retroviral proteins and cytokines which may be neurotoxic. Despite significant MHC expression within the CNS, there is a limited infiltration of immune cells, possibly due to a defect in systemic immunity. Anti-retroviral therapy by decreasing viral replication and reversing immunosuppression, may arrest nervous system damage.
Keywords: Cell Movement Central Nervous System/IMMUNOLOGY/MICROBIOLOGY Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral Encephalitis/IMMUNOLOGY/*MICROBIOLOGY/PATHOLOGY Human HIV Infections/IMMUNOLOGY/*PATHOLOGY Immunocompromised Host Macrophages/MICROBIOLOGY Meningitis, Aseptic/IMMUNOLOGY/MICROBIOLOGY Monocytes/MICROBIOLOGY Papovaviridae Infections/IMMUNOLOGY Poliomyelitis/IMMUNOLOGY Polyomavirus hominis 2 Tumor Virus Infections/IMMUNOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIALKWDcellmovementcentralnervoussystem/immunology/microbiologycytopathogeniceffect,viralencephalitis/immunology/KWDmicrobiology/pathologyhumanhivinfections/immunology/
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M9450887

Copyright © 1994 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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