HIV molecular biology, treatment resistance

Abstract

HIV has infected more than 40 million individuals on six continents since emerging in 1981, with an estimated 15,000 new infections transmitted daily. The rapid spread and lethal nature of the HIV-1 pandemic has made the development of useful and widely available therapy a compelling imperative. As such, many of the molecular mechanisms of HIV replication have been investigated as potential therapeutic targets. This chapter summarizes key molecular events in HIV replication, their use as therapeutic targets, and the inevitable emergence of resistance to therapy. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.