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Gulliver's travels in HIVland

Nature volume 410, pages 963–967 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

The emergence of HIV and AIDS is narrated here through the eyes of the legendary Irish traveller Gulliver, observing the replication, cross-species origin, evolution, diversity and transmission of HIV. Ethical problems of vaccine trials, the social impact of AIDS, and prospects for its prevention, including the development of topical virucidal lotions, are discussed. The existence of a growing proportion of HIV-infected, immunocompromised children and adults may significantly affect current immunization programmes and the evolution of opportunistic infections.

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Figure 1: The human immunodeficiency virus.
Figure 2
Figure 3: Trends in annual rates of leading causes of death among adults aged 25–44 years in USA over the period 1982–1998.

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Acknowledgements

The scribbler is indebted to V. Gant, P. Hale, A. McKnight, R. S. Tedder and S. Wain-Hobson for sceptical discussions. His AIDS research is supported by the Medical Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology & Molecular Pathology, Wohl Virion Centre, University College London, Windeyer Institute of Medical Sciences, 46 Cleveland Street, London, W1T 4JF, UK

    Robin A. Weiss

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  1. Robin A. Weiss
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Correspondence to Robin A. Weiss.

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Weiss, R. Gulliver's travels in HIVland. Nature 410, 963–967 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35073632

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