HIV-I and HIV-2 are the causative agents of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Infection through sexual contact, blood and body fluids, and from mother to child remain the only three modes of transmission. Most sexual transmission of HIV infection is occurred through sexual contact between males, with 50-63% of AIDS cases occuring in homosexual/bisexual males not reporting intravenous drog use. The latency period between HIV infection and the de>elopment of AIDS may vary according to viral inoculum, route of entry, and age of the patient. The pathophysiology of illness is incompletely understood, but is in large part related to destruction of helper. CD4 lymphocytes. This results in immune dysfunction and the development of a variety of opportunistic infections and malignancies. Infection with the virus can be determined by a number of serologic techniques as well as viral culture. Current studies for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and for prophylaxis against associated oppurtunistic infections are contunuing. /Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center 1(4):310-320,I994]
Key Words: AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
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