HIV+ Pregnant Women and Antiretroviral Treatment

A Viral Biorealm page on the family HIV+ Pregnant Women and Antiretroviral Treatment

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been a global epidemic for over 30 years. Approximately 35 million worldwide are infected with HIV [1]. If untreated, HIV progresses to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is almost surely fatal. HIV is transmitted by multiple methods; sexually, via contact with contaminated blood, and from mother to child in utero are the primary methods [2]. Mother to child transmission (MTCT) has been a topic of great research and, by following guidelines, it is now nearly guaranteed that an HIV+ mother can have an HIV- child. In well-resourced countries the rate of MTCT is <1% [3]. There are 5 main criteria for a successful HIV- pregnancy: 1) antiretroviral therapy for the mother, 2) semen washing if the father is HIV+, 3) alternative insemination, 4) specialized obstetrical care (usually including a caesarian section), and 5) formula feeding. Of these criteria, antiretroviral therapy for the mother is the most important in reducing MTCT.

HIV+ mother with her HIV- child.[1].

Baltimore Classification

Higher order categories

Description and Significance

Gallus gallus domesticus showing obvious signs of late-stage CAV infection. [2].

Genome Structure

Virion Structure of Chicken Anemia Virus

Reproductive Cycle of CAV in a Host Cell

Viral Ecology & Pathology

Immunopathogenesis of Chicken Anemia Virus. Hemocytoblasts in the bone marrow, and T cell progenitors in the thymus are the CAV's key targets. [3].

References

[1] Barton-Knott, Sophie. 2011. Nearly 50% of People Who are Eligible for Antiretroviral Therapy Now Have Access to Lifesaving Treatment. UNAIDS press release. http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2011/november/20111121wad2011report/.

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010. HIV Transmission. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/transmission.htm.

[3] Foster, C., H. Lyall, B, Olmscheid, G. Pearce, S. Zhang and D. Gibb. 2009. Tenofovir Disproxil Fumarate in Pregnancy and Prevention of Mother-to-Child-Transmission of HIV-1: Is it Time to Move on From Zidovudine? HIV Medicine. 10: 397-406.

Page authored by Ellen Gaglione for BIOL 375 Virology, September 2010