Background
What is HIV/AIDS?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, more commonly known as HIV, is a virus that attacks the immune system and leads to the disease, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. HIV is classified as a retrovirus and contains the enzyme reverse transcriptase which can generate a complementary DNA strand from an RNA template which allows HIV to integrate its viral DNA into the host genome.(#24)
In the immune system, HIV attacks vital cells such as helper T cells, dendritic cells and macrophages.
One specific T cell, the CD4 cells, helps the immune system fight off infection. Without the abundance of these T cells, the immune system is very weak, thus increasing the chances of acquiring other infections. Over time an HIV infection can eventually lead to getting AIDS which often results in the acquirement of life-threatening diseases and cancers due to the failure of the immune system.(#25)
Further information on HIV can be read here.
HIV is discovered by scientists to have originated from Central Africa where the infected blood of a chimpanzee came into contact which the blood of the hunter.(#24)
Further information on the history and developments on HIV/AIDS can be read here.
Where did HIV come from?
How is HIV/AIDS treated?
HIV treatments include nucleoside chain terminators(AZT), reverse transcriptase inhibitors(necirapine), protease inhibitors(ritonavar, etc.), a combination drug therapy, and the Crispr Cas9 editing system which is currently under development.
Further information on treatments and therapies for HIV/AIDS can be read here.
What lies in the future?
The CRISPR/Cas9 editing system, which is currently under development, presents a unique opportunity to treat and possibly cure the HIV infection. Scientists are currently working on the process and a coherent plan has yet to be layed out for using the editing tool on humans.
Further analysis on the CRISPR/Cas9 method for curing HIV/AIDS can be read here.
