AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is an infectious viral disease that has a very slow progression involving the immune system. It is characterized by a prolonged period of carrying the virus, followed by an irreversible phase of clinical symptoms, determined by the action of the virus itself or by the agents of other opportunistic infections, bacteria and viruses or concomitant neoplasms in the body. The first cases of AIDS were registered in 1979 in a study of 11 young men with a sexual orientation to their own gender who simultaneously developed Kaposi’s sarcoma and pneumocystis pneumonia. The virus was discovered in 1983 simultaneously by several virologists from France and the United States. In 1986, the AIDS virus was named HIV. The HIV virus itself is part of the large group of RNA viruses. The origin is thought to come from the simian virus SIV, which attacked African green monkeys. The causative agent is an RNA-retrovirus from the family of T-lymphotropic viruses. Many different strains of the virus have been discovered, which is due to its high propensity for mutations. The nucleotide of the virus contains 2 molecules of RNA and the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Its capsid contains two glycoproteins, one of which determines the specific binding of the virus to cells bearing the CD4 antigen on their surface. Such cells are primarily T-helpers, to a lesser extent monocytes and macrophages, and also microglia. There are three types of the AIDS virus: HIV-1, HIV-2, HIV-0. There are 9 strains of HIV-1 known worldwide: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, O. Dual infection with HIV-1 and HIV-2 is possible. Each of these two types has subtypes. The HIV virus is a lymphotropic and neurotropic virus. When infected, it gets into the blood and binds to the cells to which it has a tropism – lymphatic and nervous system. When the two cells interact, their cell membrane is absorbed inside and the contents of both cells – viral and physiological – become common. With the help of reverse transcriptase, the RNA data of the virus is transcribed into many smaller DNA copies. These small DNA molecules become incorporated into the chromosomal DNA of a normal human cell. In this way, the genome of the AIDS virus remains permanently in the cell, and during its division, the information falls into the offspring cells. Long-term viral load is explained by the fact that when HIV virus cells enter T-helpers, they can remain in a latent state for an indefinite period of time. NEWS_MORE_BOX This is where the puzzle is. Immune deficiency is thought to develop on the basis of impaired t-helpers. Confirmation of these facts comes from studies of AIDS patients who have a characteristic laboratory picture of lymphopenia. It also reduces the ratio between T-helpers and T-suppressors, which is the leading pathogenetic sign for the development of immune deficiency. T-helper cells gradually die because the virus has a very pronounced cytotoxic effect. Also, immune deficiency is associated with the fact thatthat the formation of non-viable multinucleated cells leads to their automatic destruction by the body. However, while this automatic “clearing” pathway is underway, these cells have the ability to communicate with over 500 other cells and thus infect the rest of the healthy human cells. How is the HIV virus transmitted? At the moment, only three ways, respectively three possible entrance doors, for infection with the AIDS virus are known. This is during unprotected sexual intercourse between hetero- and homosexual couples having regular and anal sex, since the mucous membrane of the anus is particularly susceptible to infection with HIV viruses. It is possible to become infected through the blood route – by transfusing blood and blood products to a healthy patient from a sick donor or by contaminated needles and syringes. Also, blood contamination develops in intravenous drug users, especially those who use shared needles, in some medical and dental procedures, accidental pricks, and others. There is also a third mechanism of infection, in which the newborn receives the virus from a previously infected mother. Infection very rarely develops intrauterinely during pregnancy, more often it concerns viral infection during or after birth itself. What changes develop in the organs in AIDS? The lymphatic system is particularly affected by this viral infection. A state of follicular hyperplasia develops, leading to total exhaustion and exhaustion of the lymphatic tissue. The lymph nodes sharply decrease in number and size and can rather be defined as “burnt nodes” at a pathoanatomical view of the finding. In the nervous system, the involvement often leads to the development of viral encephalitis, in which the main changes are found in the white brain matter and in the subcortical nuclei of the brain. Under the microscope, microglial nodules and multinucleated symplasts can be seen, in which viral particles can be detected. Clinically, these lesions can be established as disturbances in concentration, memory, movements and acute development of mental deviations. Dementia is also a common symptom. Opportunistic infections often develop a severe clinical picture of recurrent infections, with generalization of the process and resistance to the ongoing therapy. They can develop after infection with protozoa – pneumocystis and toxoplasmosis, from fungi – candida and cryptococci, and viruses – cytomegalovirus and herpes viruses. From the bacterial class, the most common causative agents are salmonella, mycobacteria and legionella.performing regular and anal sex, as the mucous membrane of the anus is particularly susceptible to infection with HIV viruses. It is possible to become infected through the blood route – by transfusing blood and blood products to a healthy patient from a sick donor or by contaminated needles and syringes. Also, blood contamination develops in intravenous drug users, especially those who use shared needles, in some medical and dental procedures, accidental pricks, and others. There is also a third mechanism of infection, in which the newborn receives the virus from a previously infected mother. Infection very rarely develops intrauterinely during pregnancy, more often it concerns viral infection during or after birth itself. What changes develop in the organs in AIDS? The lymphatic system is particularly affected by this viral infection. A state of follicular hyperplasia develops, leading to total exhaustion and exhaustion of the lymphatic tissue. The lymph nodes sharply decrease in number and size and can rather be defined as “burnt nodes” at a pathoanatomical view of the finding. In the nervous system, the involvement often leads to the development of viral encephalitis, in which the main changes are found in the white brain matter and in the subcortical nuclei of the brain. Under the microscope, microglial nodules and multinucleated symplasts can be seen, in which viral particles can be detected. Clinically, these lesions can be found as disturbances in concentration, memory, movements and acute development of mental deviations. Dementia is also a common symptom. Opportunistic infections often develop a severe clinical picture of recurrent infections, with generalization of the process and resistance to the ongoing therapy. They can develop after infection with protozoa – pneumocystis and toxoplasmosis, from fungi – candida and cryptococci, and viruses – cytomegalovirus and herpes viruses. From the bacterial class, the most common causative agents are salmonella, mycobacteria and legionella.performing regular and anal sex, as the mucous membrane of the anus is particularly susceptible to infection with HIV viruses. It is possible to become infected through the blood route – by transfusing blood and blood products to a healthy patient from a sick donor or by contaminated needles and syringes. Also, blood contamination develops in intravenous drug users, especially those who use shared needles, in some medical and dental procedures, accidental pricks and others. There is also a third mechanism of infection, in which the newborn receives the virus from a previously infected mother. Infection very rarely develops intrauterinely during pregnancy, more often it concerns viral infection during or after birth itself. What changes develop in the organs in AIDS? The lymphatic system is particularly affected by this viral infection. A state of follicular hyperplasia develops, leading to total exhaustion and exhaustion of the lymphatic tissue. The lymph nodes sharply decrease in number and size and can rather be defined as “burnt nodes” at a pathoanatomical view of the finding. In the nervous system, the involvement often leads to the development of viral encephalitis, in which the main changes are found in the white brain matter and in the subcortical nuclei of the brain. Under the microscope, microglial nodules and multinucleated symplasts can be seen, in which viral particles can be detected. Clinically, these lesions can be found as disturbances in concentration, memory, movements and acute development of mental deviations. Dementia is also a common symptom. Opportunistic infections often develop a severe clinical picture of recurrent infections, with generalization of the process and resistance to the ongoing therapy. They can develop after infection with protozoa – pneumocystis and toxoplasmosis, from fungi – candida and cryptococci, and viruses – cytomegalovirus and herpes viruses. From the bacterial class, the most common causative agents are salmonella, mycobacteria and legionella.The lymph nodes sharply decrease in number and size and can rather be defined as “burnt nodes” at a pathoanatomical view of the finding. In the nervous system, the involvement often leads to the development of viral encephalitis, in which the main changes are found in the white brain matter and in the subcortical nuclei of the brain. Under the microscope, microglial nodules and multinucleated symplasts can be seen, in which viral particles can be detected. Clinically, these lesions can be established as disturbances in concentration, memory, movements and acute development of mental deviations. Dementia is also a common symptom. Opportunistic infections often develop a severe clinical picture of recurrent infections, with generalization of the process and resistance to the ongoing therapy. They can develop after infection with protozoa – pneumocystis and toxoplasmosis, from fungi – candida and cryptococci, and viruses – cytomegalovirus and herpes viruses. From the bacterial class, the most common causative agents are salmonella, mycobacteria and legionella.The lymph nodes sharply decrease in number and size and can rather be defined as “burnt nodes” at a pathoanatomical view of the finding. In the nervous system, the involvement often leads to the development of viral encephalitis, in which the main changes are found in the white brain matter and in the subcortical nuclei of the brain. Under the microscope, microglial nodules and multinucleated symplasts can be seen, in which viral particles can be detected. Clinically, these lesions can be found as disturbances in concentration, memory, movements and acute development of mental deviations. Dementia is also a common symptom. Opportunistic infections often develop a severe clinical picture of recurrent infections, with generalization of the process and resistance to the ongoing therapy. They can develop after infection with protozoa – pneumocystis and toxoplasmosis, from fungi – candida and cryptococci, and viruses – cytomegalovirus and herpes viruses. From the bacterial class, the most common causative agents are salmonella, mycobacteria and legionella.