Route of the HIV infection
The HIV virus targets two groups of white blood cells. They are th CD4+ lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages. In health humans, the CD4+ cells and macrophages help recognize and destroy infectious agents that invade cells and cause disease. In an HIV-infected person, the CD4+ lymphocytes are “killed” by the virus. The macrophages act as reservoirs, carrying HIV to a number of vital organs. (more…)
