what type of virus is hiv rna or dna

by Camden Kreiger IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

HIV is a retrovirus, which means it carries single-stranded RNA as its genetic material rather than the double-stranded DNA human cells carry. Retroviruses also have the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which allows it to copy RNA into DNA and use that DNA "copy" to infect human, or host, cells.

What type of virus is HIV?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is grouped to the genus Lentivirus within the family of Retroviridae, subfamily Orthoretrovirinae [1]. On the basis of genetic characteristics and differences in the viral antigens, HIV is classified into the types 1 and 2 (HIV-1, HIV-2).

Is HIV in the DNA?

During the HIV replication process, the virus' genetic material (stored within the virus as RNA) is integrated into the DNA of the infected cell.

What are DNA virus examples?

DNA viruses comprise important pathogens such as herpesviruses, smallpox viruses, adenoviruses, and papillomaviruses, among many others.

What is the virus that causes AIDS?

Visna-maedi virus. The human immunodeficiency viruses ( HIV) are two species of Lentivirus (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive.

What is HIV in the human body?

HIV is a member of the genus Lentivirus, part of the family Retroviridae. Lentiviruses have many morphologies and biological properties in common. Many species are infected by lentiviruses, which are characteristically responsible for long-duration illnesses with a long incubation period. Lentiviruses are transmitted as single-stranded, positive- sense, enveloped RNA viruses. Upon entry into the target cell, the viral RNA genome is converted (reverse transcribed) into double-stranded DNA by a virally encoded enzyme, reverse transcriptase, that is transported along with the viral genome in the virus particle. The resulting viral DNA is then imported into the cell nucleus and integrated into the cellular DNA by a virally encoded enzyme, integrase, and host co-factors. Once integrated, the virus may become latent, allowing the virus and its host cell to avoid detection by the immune system, for an indeterminate amount of time. The HIV virus can remain dormant in the human body for up to ten years after primary infection; during this period the virus does not cause symptoms. Alternatively, the integrated viral DNA may be transcribed, producing new RNA genomes and viral proteins, using host cell resources, that are packaged and released from the cell as new virus particles that will begin the replication cycle anew.

What is the viral envelope?

The viral envelope contains proteins from the host cell and relatively few copies of the HIV envelope protein, which consists of a cap made of three molecules known as glycoprotein (gp) 120 , and a stem consisting of three gp41 molecules that anchor the structure into the viral envelope.

What are the cells that are affected by HIV?

HIV infects vital cells in the human immune system, such as helper T cells (specifically CD4 + T cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells . HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4 + T cells through a number of mechanisms, including pyroptosis of abortively infected T cells, apoptosis of uninfected bystander cells, direct viral killing of infected cells, and killing of infected CD4 + T cells by CD8 + cytotoxic lymphocytes that recognize infected cells. When CD4 + T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunity is lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections, leading to the development of AIDS.

How long does HIV stay dormant?

The HIV virus can remain dormant in the human body for up to ten years after primary infection; during this period the virus does not cause symptoms.

How does HIV spread to a child?

Non-sexual transmission can occur from an infected mother to her infant during pregnancy, during childbirth by exposure to her blood or vaginal fluid, and through breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells .

How long does it take to live with HIV?

Without treatment, average survival time after infection with HIV is estimated to be 9 to 11 years, depending on the HIV subtype. In most cases, HIV is a sexually transmitted infection and occurs by contact with or transfer of blood, pre-ejaculate, semen, and vaginal fluids.

What is viral load test?

A viral load test measures the level of HIV RNA—the virus’ genetic material—in blood plasma, and it is an accurate indicator of how well treatment is working. When HIV infection is untreated, viral load is very high, indicating that HIV is actively replicating and producing new infectious viral particles.

How to keep HIV suppressed in the body?

To keep HIV suppressed in the body, antiretroviral medications must be taken daily as prescribed. To monitor the treatment’s effectiveness, people living with HIV should undergo regular viral load testing as directed by their health care teams.

Does HIV treatment eliminate HIV?

However, effective treatment does not completely eliminate HIV from the body. HIV lies dormant inside a small number of ...

Does antiretroviral therapy cure HIV?

Because antiretroviral therapy does not eradicate viral reservoirs, it does not cure HIV. To keep HIV suppressed in the body, antiretroviral medications must be taken daily as prescribed. To monitor the treatment’s effectiveness, people living with HIV should undergo regular viral load testing as directed by their health care teams. A viral load test measures the level of HIV RNA—the virus’ genetic material—in blood plasma, and it is an accurate indicator of how well treatment is working.

Does staying on treatment cause HIV?

Research has clearly demonstrated that staying on treatment and maintaining a durably undetectable viral load results in effectively no risk of sexually transmitting HIV. To learn more, see Treatment as HIV Prevention. Content last reviewed on November 27, 2018.

Is HIV RNA or DNA?

Understanding the Presence of HIV RNA and DNA. Researchers are working to better understand how HIV persists in the body in viral reservoirs, with the ultimate goal of developing a cure for HIV. To identify and define HIV reservoirs, many studies have assessed the presence of HIV RNA and/or DNA, two types of genetic material, ...

Can I Be Infected by HIV RNA or DNA Reportedly Found in the Semen or Testes of a Virally Suppressed Person?

There is no scientific evidence that detection of such material in the semen or testes of a person who is durably virally suppressed is associated with HIV transmission. Research has clearly demonstrated that staying on treatment and maintaining a durably undetectable viral load results in effectively no risk of sexually transmitting HIV. To learn more, see Treatment as HIV Prevention.

What is HIV RNA test?

HIV RNA test compared to other tests. The HIV RNA test is a type of nucleic acid test (NAT). NATs are blood tests used to detect the genetic material of viruses and bacteria in your blood. They’re sometimes used to screen blood donations for HIV and other conditions, such as hepatitis B. The HIV RNA test is also called the HIV viral load test, ...

Why do we use RNA test for HIV?

You might use the HIV RNA test if you: need to eliminate the possibility of a false positive or false negative test, if earlier HIV tests produced conflicting results. need to monitor the effectiveness of HIV treatment, over time.

What does HIV antibody test look for?

This sets it apart from other HIV tests. HIV antibody tests. These tests look for antibodies created by your body in response to HIV. HIV antigen/antibody tests. These tests look for antibodies, but they also look for antibodies and an HIV protein (antigen) called p24.

How is HIV RNA done?

How an HIV RNA test is done. Since the HIV RNA test is a blood test, there’s no special way to prepare for it. But some people find that being well hydrated before any type of blood test makes it easier for the technician to find a vein. A technician will swab your arm with an antiseptic wipe or solution.

What is the best test for HIV?

There are several types of tests for HIV. One of these is the HIV RNA test. Your doctor or healthcare professional may recommend the HIV RNA test to you if you need a test done quickly after a possible exposure. Unlike other HIV tests, the HIV RNA test detects HIV ‘s genetic material — not the antibodies your body makes in response to it.

What are the different types of HIV tests?

According to the CDC#N#Trusted Source#N#, there are two other types of HIV tests: 1 HIV antibody tests. These tests look for antibodies created by your body in response to HIV. 2 HIV antigen/antibody tests. These tests look for antibodies, but they also look for antibodies and an HIV protein (antigen) called p24.

How long does it take for a HIV RNA test to show results?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source. , it gives accurate results from 10 to 33 days after a possible exposure occurs.

Overview

Virology

Diagnosis

Many HIV-positive people are unaware that they are infected with the virus. For example, in 2001 less than 1% of the sexually active urban population in Africa had been tested, and this proportion is even lower in rural populations. Furthermore, in 2001 only 0.5% of pregnant women attending urban health facilities were counselled, tested or receive their test results. Again, this proportion is even lower in rural health facilities. Since donors may therefore be unaware of their infection, do…

Research

HIV/AIDS research includes all medical research that attempts to prevent, treat, or cure HIV/AIDS, as well as fundamental research about the nature of HIV as an infectious agent and AIDS as the disease caused by HIV.
Many governments and research institutions participate in HIV/AIDS research. This research includes behavioral health interventions, such as research into sex education, and drug developm…

Treatment and transmission

The management of HIV/AIDS normally includes the use of multiple antiretroviral drugs. In many parts of the world, HIV has become a chronic condition in which progression to AIDS is increasingly rare.
HIV latency, and the consequent viral reservoir in CD4 T cells, dendritic cells, as well as macrophages, is the main barrier to eradication of the virus.

History

The first news story on "an exotic new disease" appeared May 18, 1981, in the gay newspaper New York Native.
AIDS was first clinically observed in 1981 in the United States. The initial cases were a cluster of injection drug users and gay men with no known cause of impaired immunity who showed symptoms of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP or PJP, the latter term recognizing that the causati…