Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1)
HIV-1 is the most prevalent virus that can lead to AIDS in North America. HIV-1 is a blood-borne retrovirus that targets CD4 T cells. The HIV-1 surface envelope consists of glycoproteins which specifically bind to CD4 receptor and co-receptors CCR5 or CXCR4 on immune cells. These binding events lead to conformational changes that facilitate the fusion of the virus envelope to the host cell membrane. After fusion, the viral core contents are released into the cell including enzymes that convert the virus’ single stranded RNA into double stranded DNA. Through the activity of viral reverse transcriptase, integrase, and other viral proteins, this new double stranded DNA is incorporated into the host genome, irreversibly transforming the host cell into a virus producing cell. |
Acute HIV infection StageDuring the acute infection stage, HIV-1 viral particles have entered into host cells indiscriminately through primary infection and have transformed them into virus producing cells. Large amounts of virus are being produced at this stage; hence, one's levels of HIV in the blood is very high and is at very high risk of transmitting the virus to another.
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