Question

Give a reason for the following: In HIV infected persons, the immune system is compromised.

Hint:

Remember the "Central Dogma" of HIV: It uses Reverse Transcriptase to turn its RNA into DNA within the host cell.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
HIV targets the core cells that coordinate the immune response.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The HIV virus enters and replicates within Helper T-lymphocytes.
The replication process eventually leads to the destruction and massive decline in the count of these \(T_H\) cells.
Since \(T_H\) cells are required to activate both B-cells and Killer T-cells, their depletion renders the person unable to fight even minor opportunistic infections.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The immune system is compromised because HIV specifically destroys Helper T-lymphocytes, leading to severe immunodeficiency.