Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV) is the etiologic agent of Acquired
ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome(AIDS). It has approximately a 10kb RNA genome and
belongs to a lentivirus genus-a sub-family of retroviridae-which replicates through DNA
intermediate during its life cycle. The characteristics of the virus are: it is a
slow-growing virus which is typical in lentiviruses, contains a couple of regulatory
genes not found in other retroviruses, and selectively depletes human CD4+ T
lymphocytes causing a fatal immunodeficiency.
Even though a complete cure for the AIDS has not been established yet, such
tremendous efforts and progress made in understanding of molecular biology and
pathology of HIV has been unprecedent before. That is because of the magnitude of
pandemic caused by this deadly virus. According to WHO’s estimate, as many as 40
million people around the world will be infected by the year 2000.
It is the scope of this review to overview briefly what we have learned about this
virus since its identification and where we stand now. In this respect, the following five
subjects will be covered : 1. historical aspects of HIV, 2. gene organization and
functions of HIV, 3. pathology of HIV, 4. current status of HIV research and therapy, 5.
future directions and conclusions.
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