HHV-6 University

  Make the case that AIDS mortality was decreasing even before the miracle AIDS drugs were introduced and the decrease was falsely correlated with the drugs. There is some evidence that AIDS mortality rates began to decline among certain risk groups before the widespread introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART, the so-called "miracle AIDS drugs") in 1996. This pre-HAART decline, especially evident among injection drug users (IDUs), has been attributed to public health interventions unrelated to antiretroviral drugs. These included: Harm reduction programs such as methadone maintenance, syringe exchanges, active case finding, and outreach targeting drug users. Improved diagnosis and management of opportunistic infections (like tuberculosis and pneumocystis pneumonia) through prophylaxis, antibiotic use, and counseling. Socioeconomic and behavioral interventions that improved access to health care and reduced high-risk behavior, especially in urban settings....

 From Perplexity A.I. Does inflammation cause the reactivation of endogenous retroviruses, some with pathological potential? Yes, inflammation can cause the reactivation of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), and some of these reactivated ERVs have pathological potential. Multiple studies and reviews support a bidirectional relationship between inflammation and ERV expression: Triggering Reactivation: Inflammatory processes, including those linked to infections, oxidative stress, or microbiota alterations, can remove epigenetic blocks (like DNA methylation) that normally silence ERVs in the genome. Loss of these controls leads to an increase in ERV expression. Pathogenic Potential: Once reactivated, ERV transcripts and proteins can act as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), triggering the host’s innate immune response via pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as TLRs, cGAS, RIG-I, and MDA5. This activation not only drives further inflammation but can also contribute to ...

  Do pigs with African Swine Fever develop hypovolemia? Do pigs with African Swine Fever develop hypovolemia? Pigs infected with  African Swine Fever (ASF)  commonly develop clinical signs and pathological changes highly suggestive of  hypovolemia , particularly due to the disease’s severe hemorrhagic and vascular effects. ASF causes widespread hemorrhages and vascular damage . Typical findings include petechial (pinpoint) hemorrhages in the kidneys, severe hemorrhagic lymphadenitis, pulmonary and gall bladder edema, and effusions (straw-colored or blood-stained fluid) in the pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal cavities . These extensive hemorrhages and vascular leakages can lead to a  significant loss of blood volume , resulting in classic features of hypovolemic shock—such as weakness, recumbency, prostration, incoordination, pale mucous membranes, and death from shock . The underlying mechanism is  severe disruption of blood vessels  and disseminat...