Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome vaccines

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of only a few retroviruses known to infect humans. It is estimated that approximately twenty-two million people are now infected worldwide [1]. With only a tiny number of exceptions, infection ultimately leads to the development of the lethal condition of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. To date, only a handful of drugs have been shown to have any effect on the course of the disease. These are, in general, relatively ineffective at significantly prolonging life, and drug resistance develops rapidly. Equally discouraging, vaccines have not yet been developed to prevent infection. 

A numher of other groups, including immunocompromised patients (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma), dialysis patients, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, have reduced antibody production with the vaccine. Asymptomatic HIV-infected patients respond sufficiently to the vaccine. Patients with Hodgkin s disease respond to the vaccine better before splenectomy, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. 

In the latter part of the 20th century, laboratory-acquired viral infections became an important concern. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was discovered and the concern for handling blood specimens from HIV-positive or suspected samples became a driving force for more protections for the laboratory worker. This was especially true since there was no vaccine to prevent HIV infections and no known cure for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Laboratory-acquired HIV infections are extremely rare. 

Biotechnology has created more than two hundred new therapies and vaccines, including products to treat genetic diseases, cancer, diabetes, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and autoimmune disorders. 

The ability of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to undergo rapid mutations, even within the same individual, means a vaccine against the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains unlikely in the foreseeable future. 

HIV, the etiological agent for AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), provides its own challenges. HIV mutates at a high rate immediately following infection of human lymphocytes, producing dozens of varieties in weeks. The high rate of mutation is the primary reason that no AIDS vaccine has thus far proven effective. 

AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) poses a threat to India as a large number of people are infected with HTV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). There are no drugs today for AIDS. The problem which has dogged anti- HIV drugs is that resistant mutant forms of virus are formed within mere weeks. Lot of research work is to be done in search of a vaccine against HIV. 

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