Page 64 - 78 glossary of hivaids-related terms_opt

Human Herpesviruses
See: Herpesviruses

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
The virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
HIV is in the retrovirus family, and two types have been identified:
HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for most HIV infections
throughout the world, whereas HIV-2 is found primarily in West Africa.
See Also: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Retrovirus

H
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)
Also known as major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Found
on the surface of almost every cell in the body, HLAs are proteins
that play an important role in controlling the immune system by
identifying substances as foreign to the body. The type of HLA
proteins a person inherits from his or her parents is important in
identifying good matches for tissue grafts and organ transplants.
Variants of an HLA protein may be expressed in some individuals,
and these variations may increase the risk of developing certain
diseases or experiencing certain drug reactions. For example, some
HLA types are associated with either a faster or slower progression
of HIV disease. In addition, expression of the HLA-B*5701 variant is
associated with hypersensitivity to abacavir, an anti-HIV drug.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
A virus that causes various warts, including plantar and genital
warts. Some strains of HPV can also cause cervical cancer.
See Also: Cervical Cancer
Genital Warts

Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type I (HTLV-I)
A virus in the same family (retrovirus) as HIV. In rare cases, HTLV-1
can cause adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, a rare and aggressive
cancer of the blood. People infected with HTLV-1 may also develop
myelopathy, a disease of the spinal cord.
See Also: Retrovirus

62 HIV/AIDS Glossary