Desenvolvimento de vacinas para o HIV: é possível uma vacina?

Abstract

The HIV infection represents a major challenge for the Worldwide Public Health. WHO. Data reveals that in 2010, 1.8 million people died of AIDS. From the beginning of the HIV epidemic to June of 2011, Brazil had 608,230 AIDS cases reported. The use of antirretroviral drugs, in spite of having proven efficiency, has limitations arising from cost, adherence to treatment by patients and undesirable adverse effects. Considering the devastating disease situation around the world and especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, It is vital the development of an effective protective vaccine to contain the high rates of morbidity and mortality resulting from infection by HIV. This work presents the disease’s history and the research related to the fight against HIV, emphasizing information relating to advances in research of a safe and effective vaccine. In addition, it assesses the limitations imposed to its development stemming from the great genetic variability of the virus, lack of knowledge of the cellular and humoral immune responses and the virus-host interaction processes, as well as ethical implications.