Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty
Published on: July 24, 2013
Immune dysfunction, inflammation, and accelerated aging in patients on antiretroviral therapy
1University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Patients receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy are at increased risk of age-associated non-AIDS-related morbidity and mortality compared with HIV-seronegative persons. Despite suppressive antiretroviral treatment, inflammation remains elevated and CD4+ count often remains low, with both measures predicting age-associated events. Several factors likely contribute to persistent inflammation and suboptimal gains during therapy. These include residual HIV replication, persistent virus expression, loss of immunoregulatory cells, collagen deposition, microbial translocation, chronic coinfections, and thymic dysfunction. How these factors influence disease outcomes and how chronic inflammation should be managed during therapy are the focus of intense ongoing investigation. Currently, the most practical advice is to start antiretroviral therapy early and to manage traditional risk factors for non-AIDS-related conditions aggressively. This article summarizes a presentation made by Steven G. Deeks, MD, at the International AIDS Society-USA continuing medical education program in Chicago in May 2009.
Related Concept Videos
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Sexually Transmitted Infections

