Chronic-treated HIV: A neurologic disease

The concept of slow virus diseases was developed by Sigurdsson in the 1950s in studies of infections of Icelandic sheep, including Visna, a slow (lent i) viral infection of the central nervous system. Human immunodeficiency vi rus (HIV) belongs to the same lentivirus subfamily of retroviruses and caus es significant dysfunction of all levels of the nervous system. Highly acti ve antiretroviral therapy should allow host control of opportunistic infect ions, producing a clinical state of chronic-treated HIV. However, viral per sistence may occur in the sanctuary of the central nervous system. As a con sequence, major disabilities in the chronic-treated phase of the HIV epidem ic may include cognitive impairment, gait disorders, and various pain syndr omes. Policy planning will need to take into account the long-term resident ial, social, and health care needs of this population.