ABSTRACT
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is a clinical disorder representing the end point in a progression sequence of immune suppressive changes that render the body highly susceptible to life-threatening tumors and opportunistic infections. AIDS has been identified as a major public health priority in the U.S. with heavy social and economic impact. A recent analysis estimated that 700,000 to 900,000 U.S. residents (approximately 0.3% of the population) are infected with HIV, and about 40,000 persons are infected annually in the U.S. 1 , 2 Each year, around 60,000 are diagnosed with an AIDS-related opportunistic infection. 2 The Centers for Disease Control reported that 85,430 persons died from this condition. 3 Through 1994, more than 325,000 persons diagnosed with AIDS residing in the U.S. had died. 4 AIDS is the leading cause of death among all Americans aged 25 to 44. 4 The World Health Organization estimates that more than 10 million people throughout the world are infected with HIV. 5 Immune and other physiological defects induced by HIV infection appear to be progressive and irreversible with a high mortality rate that approaches 100%. 6
