Virus de inmunodeficiencia humana: Hallazgos útiles en el diagnóstico, prevención y tratamiento

HIV infection is a worldwide problem and its prevalence continues to rise, nonetheless, thanks to the advances in antiretroviral therapy, mortality has diminished considerably. Between 2000 and 2016, new HIV infections lowered in 39% and hiv-related deaths lowered in 33% with 13.1 million lives, saving in antiretroviral therapy in a similar period. HIV-1 entry into cd4 cells implies glycoprotein interactions such as the envelope's gp120 and a secondary coreceptor, either one of two chemokines receptors CCR5 or CXCR4; the presence of a mutation in one of those gives a new direction on infection's treatment and provides an effective alternative to long-term hiv/aids treatment medications. For diagnosis, rapid tests represent an accessible and swift method, but must be accompanied by protocols that allow complimentary exams for diagnosis confirmation. Prophylaxis has shown to be effective in prevention of HIV acquisition in at-risk populations, such as health-care professionals that suffer from needle lesions and in vertical transmission from hiv positive mothers to their newborns; also, it has been shown that its application reduces hiv conversion rates among people with consensual sexual expositions.