Study further unfolds HIV infection process

The mechanism by which HIV infects human cells is complex and not well understood, although advances are being made every year. A team of UK cellular biologists recently learned more about how people become HIV-positive by looking at how one of its proteins folds.

Their results appeared in the journal Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Researchers found that changes in a section of one HIV protein can affect how infectious the virus ultimately becomes.

That section, called a membrane proximal peptide, acts as an anchoring system for the disease by helping to bind the human immunodeficiency virus to the surface of cells.

The study's authors concluded that further research into the forms of this peptide may lead to more effective medical treatments for HIV.

While the virus is treatable and infected individuals may live long lives, currently HIV is incurable.

The disease has few early symptoms, but in its later stages HIV can cause swollen lymph nodes, fever, diarrhea and ultimately dangerous conditions like tuberculosis and cancer.

Those who worry that they have contracted or are at risk for HIV may consider purchasing online testing services immediately.

More than 56,000 Americans become HIV-positive every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.