Τόμος 3 (1985) – Τεύχος 3 – Άρθρο 1 – Επιθεώρηση Κλινικής Φαρμακολογίας και Φαρμακοκινητικής-Ελληνική Έκδοση – Volume 3 (1985) – Issue 3 – Article 1 – Epitheorese Klinikes Farmakologias και Farmakokinetikes-Greek Edition

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

S. D. KOTTARIDIS

^{Ελληνικό Αντικαρκινικό Ινστιτούτο, Κέντρο Ογκολογικής Έρευνας “Γ. Παπανικολάου”}

3: 83-91 (1985)

PHARMAKON-Press: Epitheorese Klin. Farmakol. Farmakokinet.

3: 83-91 (1985)

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS

The occurrence of AIDS known only since 1981 with first cases reported from United States has now been extended other parts of the world. The syndrome, which is apparently new and serious, is rapidly increas­ing especially among high risk groups i.e. ho­mosexuals, hemophiliacs, intravenous drug users, female and male sex partners of AIDS patients and infants and children of high risk groups. The disease seems to be caused by a lymphotropic virus (HTLV-ΙΙΙ) and is characteriz­ed by immunosuppression, agammaglobulinemia, Iymphadenοpathy, lymphopenia and marked decrease in T4 cells. The virus has been found practically in all AIDS patients and parti­cularly in their blood, saliva, tears and sperm. All AIDS patients have antibodies to HTLV-lll but only 75% have found to secrete the virus. Although the virus can infect any individual a very low percentage of the general population (2%) seem to be infected. So far, there is no cure for this dreadful disease but there is hope that a vaccine may be developed for the con­trol of virus infections.

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