[Clinical aspects of immunoneuroendocrine alterations in HIV infection]

A number of studies confirm that any human tissue can be targeted by HIV, and also the endocrine system is involved during HIV infection. No endocrine adenus is saved by the assault of the opportunistic pathogens that overrun the organism unprotected due to the severe and progressive immune deficits induced by the HIV. As a consequence clinical, but often subclinical alterations can be detected that underline the close relationship among the systems of body adaptation to the environment (immune, endocrine, and nervous). Indeed these alterations can be viewed as an immunoneuroendocrine pathology. AIDS is a paradigmatic syndrome for the variety of immune dysfunctions, and also presents endocrine and neurological dysfunctions, which allow to better understand the connections among these systems, and the interactions of HIV with the immunoneuroendocrine dynamics.