A large immune cell that devours invading pathogens and other intruders. Stimulates other immune cells by presenting them with small pieces of the invader. Macrophages can harbour large quantities of HIV without being killed, acting as reservoirs of the virus.

HIV strains that preferentially infect macrophages in cell culture experiments. They readily fuse with cells that have both CD4 and CCR5 molecules on their surfaces, whereas the same viral isolates fail to fuse with cells expressing only CD4. These isolates are the main strains found in patients during the symptom-free stage of HIV disease.

Chemical solution which contains everything needed for reagent PCR. This solution includes nucleotides, enzyme cofactors, Taq or rTth DNA Polymerase, AmpEraseҼ�|

A thin pliable covering or lining. The plasma membrane that surrounds an animal cells consists of a double layer of fat (lipid) molecules, which protects the cell contents from the external environment. The viral membrane that surrounds a virus is part of the host plasma membrane. The virus sheds this membrane when it enters a new host cell, and collects a new membrane as it leaves the host to infect other cells.

Microscopic living organisms, including bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and fungi.

An agent (e.g. a chemical or antibiotic) that destroys microbes. New research is being carried out to evaluate the use of rectal and vaginal microbicides to inhibit the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

An intestinal infection that causes diarrhoea and wasting in persons with HIV. It results from two different species of microsporidia, a protozoal parasite.

A disease of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum virus, MCV) infection. It is characterised by small dome-shaped papules (bumps) on the face, upper trunk, or extremities. In persons living with HIV, molluscum contagiosum is often a progressive disease, resistant to treatment. When CD4+ cells fall below 200, the lesions tend to proliferate and spread.

A rare type of neuropathy that has been described with HIV infection. It may fall into two different settings. One type occurs during the early period of the infection and has a more benign outcome. The second form occurs later and is more aggressive, leading to progressive paralysis and death in some patients. It has been suggested that MM is related to multifocal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Treatment with a single drug. (See also Combination therapy).

A gene, cell or organism in which a mutation has occurred.

A sudden change in a gene. In HIV some mutations make the virus resistant to one or more antiviral drugs.

A common opportunistic infection caused by two very similar mycobacterial organisms, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare, found in soil and dust particles. It is a life-threatening disease, and extremely rare in persons who are not infected with HIV.

Progressive muscle weakness. Myopathy may arise as a toxic reaction to AZT or as a consequence of the HIV infection itself.