Publisher's Synopsis
In 1981, the first reports of AIDS appeared. Since then, the disease has become a pandemic of devastating proportions. Despite the enormous social, emotional and economic costs, some rays of hope are now visible. Biomedical research into the problems presented by the disease has gained considerable momentum. The discovery of the etiologic agent, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in the mid-1980's has resulted in massive efforts to characterize the organism. In addition, the development of new therapies is under intense study, and anti-viral and immunomodulating drugs are showing some efficiency in preliminary testing.;To date, attempts to produce a protective vaccine have been only partially successful, but these investigations are continuing unabated and we can remain cautiously optimistic that these tremendous efforts may yield some promise in the medium. In compiling this volume, the authors have aimed to review key topics in the fast-moving field of HIV research, and to provide the reader with easy access to current literature and trends in experimentation.
