IMMUNOLOGY OF HIV-INFECTION IN THE FETUS AND NEWBORN

Because the thymus is important in the immune responsiveness of the fe tus and newborn, thymic-HIV interactions are a major focus of this art icle, in relation to time of infection by particular viral strains. A model explains pathogenetic differences in disease progression and pro vides a base to define responses to antiviral and immune therapies. Di fferent components of the immune system, including lymphocyte subsets, immunoglobulins, and cytokines and chemokines are presented in compar ison with those observed in older children and adults infected with HI V. The authors address our deficiencies in knowledge of the fetus and newborn, as well as new areas of investigation with novel virologic an d immunologic methodologies.