UF scientists have discovered how HIV evolves throughout a person's lifetime into AIDS.
This discovery might offer insight into new treatments that could catch the virus before it becomes deadly.
Researchers at UF's College of Medicine monitored four children born with HIV, studying blood and tissue samples taken at birth, throughout their lives and after their deaths.
They tracked mutations in a specific protein.
"We were very interested in understanding how the virus mutates from the beginning of the infection until the end," said Marco Salemi in a news release. Salemi is an assistant professor of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine in the College of Medicine.
He is also a lead author of the study.
Scientists found the virus came in two forms.
One of the forms became more prominent right before the onset of AIDS.
The study showed the viral changes took place in a small organ behind the breastbone called the thymus.
UF's study is unique as it is one of the first to study the progression of HIV in humans, not cell cultures or animals, the release stated.
