Radhika Ramachandran ¹, Piramanayagam Shanmughavel ¹

Affiliations
1 Deptt of Bioinformatics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Pin-641 046, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

This article intends to present important aspects related to HIV which would serve as an introduction to beginners' of HIV research. A brief overview of the structure, genome organization and the function of viral proteins of HIV-1 required for viral infection and replication are presented. The genetic diversity of HIV-1 along with its diagnosis and pathogenesis, host immune response, transmission routes and prevention methods are also summarized. Finally, the treatments against HIV-1 and drug resistance are briefly discussed. The ratio of different routes of HIV transmission from infected person to a healthy person and the effectiveness of their preventive measures are summarized. The review also describes about HAART, newer therapies like microbicides and vaccines.

Keywords

HIV, AIDS, Structure, Pathogenesis, Infection, Transmission.

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