Open AccessImmunopathogenesis of HIV Encephalitis
Author(s) -
Achim Cristian L.,
Schrier Rachel D.,
Wiley Clayton A.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
brain pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.986
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1750-3639
pISSN - 1015-6305
DOI - 10.1111/j.1750-3639.1991.tb00657.x
Subject(s) - human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , virology , encephalitis , medicine , virus
HIV infection leads to severe immunosuppression and in a sub‐population of patients, encephalitis. Whether systemic immunosuppression is required for CNS infection is still unclear. However, latent infection of monocytes/macrophages is an important mechanism by which HIV escapes immune surveillance and enters the CNS. Unlike other viral encephalitides, HIV predominantly infects macrophages/microglia and not neurons and glia. These cells produce retroviral proteins and cytokines which may be neurotoxic. Despite significant MHC expression within the CNS, there is a limited infiltration of immune cells, possibly due to a defect in systemic immunity. Anti‐retroviral therapy by decreasing viral replication and reversing immunosuppression, may arrest nervous system damage.