Publisher's Synopsis
The gastrointestinal tract is one of the major target organs in HIV infection and mucosal immunodeficiency caused by HIV might contribute to the frequently observed secondary infections and malignancies in AIDS. This special issue brings together the expertise of key scientists actively working in the field, who cover the most recent findings and highlight areas for future research. First, the importance of different lymphoid compartments in HIV infection and immune responses against HIV at mucosal sites are discussed. Entry of HIV into the mucosa and the pathogenesis of mucosal HIV infection and immunodeficiency are then considered, followed by data on the mechanisms of mucosal pathology. Finally, mucosal vaccination strategies and the effects of antiretroviral therapy on mucosal HIV infection are covered. Structured to give the reader broad information on recent advances without theneed to refer to complex immunological literature, this publication offers a valuable reference to the state of the art in this field. It is therefore recommended not only to mucosal immunologists but also to students and scientists involved in other areas of HIV research.
