ABSTRACT
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with an immunosuppressive disease (AIDS) characterized by a progressive loss of CD4+ T-lymphocytes, immunological malfunction, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections, CNS degeneration, neoplasia, severe weight loss and death. 1 The cellular target for HIV was initially recognized as the CD4+ –T lymphocyte. As the disease progresses, infected macrophages constitute the major cell pool and source of dissemination of HIV in the body. 2 , 3 HIV infection induces profound qualitative and quantitative changes in the innate and acquired immune systems (monocyte-macrophage, CD4+/CD8+, NK and B-cell function). 4 These defects are responsible for the susceptibility to opportunistic bacterial and viral infections, neoplasia, and autoimmune phenomena. 5
