Immunological Consequences of Hiv Infection: Advantage of Being Low Responder Casts Doubts on Vaccine Development (original) (raw)

This paper discusses the immunological implications of HIV infection, focusing on the paradox of low responders—individuals who remain asymptomatic and maintain normal immune profiles despite HIV infection. It posits that the immunosuppression observed in AIDS may be primarily a result of the immune response to the virus rather than direct pathogen effects. The variability in HIV's env gene complicates vaccine development, as auto-immunosuppressive reactions could result from attempts to elicit a response against the virus. The need for research into alternative therapeutic strategies is emphasized, given the complexities of the immune response in HIV infection.