LENTIVIRUS INFECTION Meaning and
Definition
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Lentivirus infection refers to the invasion and replication of lentiviruses within living organisms, leading to various pathological manifestations. Lentiviruses are a group of RNA viruses belonging to the retrovirus family, known for their distinctive ability to cause long-lasting infections in their host cells. The most well-known lentivirus is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is responsible for the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
When a lentivirus infects a host, it initially enters target cells, such as immune cells, by binding to specific receptors on their surface. After entry, the viral RNA genome is reverse transcribed into DNA by the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase. This newly synthesized viral DNA integrates into the host cell's genome, allowing the virus to persist in the infected cell for an extended period of time.
Lentivirus infection can have profound consequences on the infected individual's health. In the case of HIV, for example, the virus primarily targets and destroys the CD4+ T cells, gradually weakening the immune system and leaving the individual vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers. Lentiviruses also have the ability to evade the immune system and mutate rapidly, making the development of effective treatments and vaccines challenging.
Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying lentivirus infection is crucial for the development of strategies to prevent and treat lentiviral diseases. Ongoing research focuses on identifying new antiviral targets, investigating host-virus interactions, and designing gene therapies aimed at combating the long-term effects of lentivirus infection.
Common Misspellings for LENTIVIRUS INFECTION
- kentivirus infection
- pentivirus infection
- oentivirus infection
- lwntivirus infection
- lsntivirus infection
- ldntivirus infection
- lrntivirus infection
- l4ntivirus infection
- l3ntivirus infection
- lebtivirus infection
- lemtivirus infection
- lejtivirus infection
- lehtivirus infection
- lenrivirus infection
- lenfivirus infection
- lengivirus infection
- lenyivirus infection
- len6ivirus infection
- len5ivirus infection
- lentuvirus infection
Etymology of LENTIVIRUS INFECTION
The word "Lentivirus" derives from two Latin words: "lente" meaning "slowly" or "lentus" meaning "sluggish", and "virus" meaning "poison" or "venom". The term "Lentivirus" was coined due to the slow progression of infections caused by this type of virus.
The word "infection" originates from the Latin word "infectus", which means "stained" or "infected". It refers to the invasion and colonization of the body by harmful microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi. In the context of "Lentivirus Infection", it specifically denotes the invasion and harmful effects caused by the Lentivirus family of viruses.
