| HIV enhancer | Cis-acting regulatory sequences in the HIV long terminal repeat (ltr) which play a major role in induction or augmentation of HIV gene expression in response to environmental stimuli such as mitogens, phorbol esters, or other viruses. The HIV enhancer is the binding site for many cellular transcription factors including the nuclear factor nf-kappa b. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| HIV enteropathy | Chronic, well-established diarrhoea (greater than one month in duration) without an identified infectious cause after thorough evaluation, in an HIV-positive individual. It is thought to be due to direct or indirect effects of HIV on the enteric mucosa. HIV enteropathy is a diagnosis of exclusion and can be made only after other forms of diarrhoeal illness have been ruled out. (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV envelope protein gp120 | External envelope protein of the human immunodeficiency virus which is encoded by the HIV env gene. It has a molecular weight of 120,000 kD and contains numerous glycosylation sites. Gp120 binds to cells expressing CD4 cell-surface antigens, most notably t4-lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages. Gp120 has been shown to interfere with the normal function of CD4 and is at least partly responsible for the cytopathic effect of HIV. (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV envelope protein gp160 | An envelope protein of the human immunodeficiency virus that is encoded by the HIV env gene. It has a molecular weight of 160,000 kD and contains numerous glycosylation sites. It serves as a precursor for both the HIV envelope protein gp120 and the HIV envelope protein gp41. (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV envelope protein gp41 | Transmembrane envelope protein of the human immunodeficiency virus which is encoded by the HIV env gene. It has a molecular weight of 41,000 and is glycosylated. The n-terminal part of gp41 is thought to be involved in cell fusion with the CD4 antigens of t4 lymphocytes, leading to syncytial formation. Gp41 is one of the most common HIV antigens detected by immunoblotting. (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV integrase | <enzyme> Enzyme of the human immunodeficiency virus that is required to integrate viral DNA into cellular DNA in the nucleus of a host cell. HIV integrase is a DNA nucleotidyltransferase encoded by the pol gene. Registry number: EC 2.7.7.- (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV integrase inhibitors | Inhibitors of HIV integrase, an enzyme required for integration of viral DNA into cellular DNA. (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV long-terminal repeat | Regulatory sequences important for viral replication that are located on each end of the HIV genome. The ltr includes the HIV enhancer, promoter, and other sequences. Specific regions in the ltr include the negative regulatory element (nre), nf-kappa b binding sites , sp1 binding sites, tata box, and trans-acting responsive element (tar). The binding of both cellular and viral proteins to these regions regulates HIV transcription. (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV protease | <enzyme> Enzyme of the human immunodeficiency virus that is required for post-translational cleavage of gag and gag-pol precursor polyproteins into functional products needed for viral assembly. HIV protease is an aspartic protease encoded by the amino terminus of the pol gene. Registry number: EC 3.4.23.- (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV protease inhibitors | Inhibitors of HIV protease, an enzyme required for production of proteins needed for viral assembly. (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV seronegativity | Immune status consisting of non-production of HIV antibodies, as determined by various serological tests. (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV seropositivity | Development of neutralizing antibodies in individuals who have been exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/HTLV-III/lav). (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV seroprevalence | Studies of the number of cases where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is present in a specific population at a designated time. The presence in a given individual is determined by the finding of HIV antibodies in the serum (HIV seropositivity). (12 Dec 1998) |
| HIV test | <investigation> A test which is performed on a standard venipuncture blood specimen which detects the presence of antibodies to HIV (virus). This test may not be positive for 3 to 6 months after infection with HIV. (27 Sep 1997) |
| HIV wasting syndrome | <syndrome> Involuntary weight loss of greater than 10 percent associated with intermittent or constant fever and chronic diarrhoea or fatigue for more than 30 days in the absence of a defined cause other than HIV infection. A constant feature is major muscle wasting with scattered myofibre degeneration. A variety of aetiologies, which vary among patients, contributes to this syndrome. (12 Dec 1998) |