Hiv The Search For A Vaccine Essay - 1307 Words

In 1985, over 10,000 cases of AIDS were reported worldwide (White and Fenner 1986). Just over a decade later, in 1998, the Global AIDS Policy Coalition estimated that 30.6 million people were infected with HIV worldwide. It has also been projected that by the year 2000, between 40 and 70 million adults will be infected with HIV (New Generation Vaccines 1997). Over 90% of all HIV-1 infected individuals live in developing nations: 50% in Southeast Asia and 40% in sub-Saharan Africa. However, even with all of these alarming statistics and projections, there is hope for the future of humanity. This hope is a potential anti-AIDS vaccine. An anti-AIDS vaccine is the best bet. Among other factors, the large costs associated with therapeutic†¦show more content†¦The second obstacle is the lack of an inexpensive, suitable animal for testing the efficiency of an HIV-1 vaccine. Chimps, baboons, and gibbons can be infected with HIV, however they are endangered and cost between $60,000 a nd $100,000 each. These animals are also unable of assessing a vaccines ability to prevent disease, since infected chimps do not develop AIDS (New Generation Vaccines 1997). SCID mice have given optimism to the search for a practical animal model. SCID mice are mice that have been populated with human T cells. When these mice are presented with HIV, the human T cells in the mice become infected. These mice have already helped researchers find therapeutic levels of AZT and ddI for humans (Kuby 1997). There are several characteristics for an ideal HIV vaccine. First, the vaccine should be inexpensive. This would enable developing nations to have access to it. Secondly, the vaccine should be able to evoke a strong response from both the humoral and the cell-mediated immune branches. Finally, the vaccine should be effective against multiple strains of HIV (Vaccine Strategies 1997). There are five potential vaccine candidates that will be discussed: whole inactivated vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, live recombinant vector vaccines, subunit vaccines, and naked DNA vaccines. Initially, whole inactivated vaccines looked as if they protected macaques from SIV infection. However, it was later discovered that theShow MoreRelatedMedical Advances Throughout History And History1164 Words   |  5 Pagesdiseases. Maintenance medications provide a way for older adults to manage their chronic medical conditions. But there are some medical conditions that are also chronic, but with no cure available. One such condition is HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus. According to Tortora, HIV is â€Å"the pathogen causing the loss of immune function that selectively infects helper T cells† (545). My goal in this paper is to show the advances modern medicine has achieved in discovering the different ways to combatRead MoreThe Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Or Hiv, The Root Cause Of Aids Or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome?1532 Words   |  7 Pagescommunity has put up with the struggle of finding a vaccine for the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, the root cause of AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Although numerous advancements in combating the virus have helped to reverse the epidemic, there is still no known cure. However, recent studies have shown some results that may possibly be the precursors to eradicate the disease. One example would be the trials of a possible vaccine conducted on primates at both Paris-Descartes UniversityRead MoreHiv-1 Essay1024 Words   |  5 PagesHIV-1’s ability to mutate rapidly has hindered researchers to finding an effective vaccine. The characteristics of bNAbs show that it can target the surface of the virus to reduce the chance of an infection. A recent findi ng of calves being able to produce antibodies similar to bNAbs when exposed to the virus has provided a glimpse of hope, however further trials will still need to be carried out to initiate the same response in humans. Nonetheless, government funding has helped researchers to findRead MoreAIDS Prevention in Africa Essay1628 Words   |  7 PagesIs there enough being done to eradicate this disease in Africa, and will the cost of these treatments limit those who do not have the available income to afford these drugs? Scientist and researchers have worked over the years to find a cure or vaccine for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, but it remains the most incurable infection in the world. â€Å"There are several promising drug therapies now becoming available which are far too expensive for poor countriesRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Acute Rheumatic Fever2131 Words   |  9 Pagessource=search_resultsearch=rheumatic%20feverselectedTitl e=1~119#H3 B: Glomerulonephritis C: Scarlet fever D: Septic arthritis †¢ Septic arthritis is also known as infectious arthritis and is normally caused by a bacteria or fungus that is caught in a larger joint, such as a knee. However, this is not the correct answer because this disease is not considered a post strep complication. †¢ https://www.uptodate.com/contents/septic-arthritis-in-adults?source=search_resultsearch=septic%20arthritisselectedTitle=1~150#H8Read MoreDoes Hpv Vaccination Within Msm Significantly Prevent Anogenital Infection Occurrence And Recurrence Syndrome?1420 Words   |  6 Pagesvaccination in the men who have sex with men (MSM) population up to age 26 if they had not received it when they were younger.2 There are no current recommendations for this population who are greater than age 26 who have not previously received the vaccine. As age of an individual and number of lifetime sexual partners increases, the risk of developing anal cancer also increases. Men who have had 15 sexual partners during their lifetime show an increase in risk of developing anal cancer (OR=5.3; 95%Read MoreHow Can We Protect Ourselves Against Infectious Disease?1404 Words   |  6 Pagesvirus, filoviridae family, is filamentous, enveloped and non-segmented negative RNA. Pathogen is responsible for viral haemorrhagic fever, vomiting and diarrhea, this is associated with high levels of lethality. It takes a long time to develop a vaccine for Ebola because Ebola virus mutates rapidly as it spreads, mutation occurs within the genes that code for antibody-binding sites so the original antibody can no longer bind to the site. This is called antigenic drift and it forms a new virus strainRead MoreHepatitis B Virus ( Hbv )3508 Words   |  15 Pageslaunched in 1982, and the vaccines work 95% of the time in preventing infection among non-immunodeficiency people (1). However, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients are usually more prone to HBV, as these two viruses share the common modes of spread, such as sexual transmission (2). To prevent co-infection, HIV patients are recommended to have HBV vaccine injections administered. Several studies have indicated that the standard-dose HBV vaccine is insufficient for HIV-infected patients toRead MoreTuberculosis As A Prime Leading Health Problem1563 Words   |  7 Pagestuberculosis transmission, few of them are mentioned briefly in this paper are; TB is increasing among a younger population more commonly due to HIV infection, overcrowding and ill-nourished people who live in large cities than those live in rural areas. Additionally, prisoners are at a greater risk of such incidence and are more likely to have both tuberculosis and HIV infection because of socioeconomic status and overcrowding than the general population. According to William et al, it has been observedRead MoreEssay on Viruses835 Words   |  4 Pagescycle. Vaccines make infection impossible or less likely by sensitizing your own antibodies to attack and destroy the virus when it gets into the body. Hunting down and eliminating the virus already inside the host cells is more difficult. Treatments that are able to reach and destroy the virus often take out the native cell as collateral damage. What can be done about these invaders? Common household soaps and sanitizers will destroy most viruses on surfaces and body tissue. Vaccines provide