Publication Abstract Display
Type: Published Manuscript
Title: Immunopathogenesis of HIV encephalitis.
Authors: Achim CL, Schrier RD, Wiley CA
Contact: Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0612.
Year: 1991
Publication: Brain Pathology (Zurich, Switzerland)
Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Pages: 177-84
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 theCNS, 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, Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral, Encephalitis, HIV Infections, Humans, Immunocompromised Host, JC Virus, Macrophages, Meningitis, Aseptic, Monocytes, Papovaviridae Infections, Poliomyelitis, Tumor Virus Infections

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