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Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is RNA retrovirus which causes damage of immune defense cells ultimately self-defense system of human body weakens. Its characteristic phase known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A staggering amount of 33 million people are living with HIV worldwide. Approx. 2 million people died almost every year and 2.5 million new cases are reported every year. 70% of this population lives in Africa, 20% is in Asia and 10% is in the rest of the countries. HIV virus and antiretroviral drug (Zidovudine, Didanosine etc.) can causeperipheral injury which affects sensory nerve, motor nerves, thoracic nerve, cranial nerve as well as autonomic nerve and called HIV neuropathy (HIV-NP). HIV-NP is worldwide syndrome nevertheless maximum ratio of patients present in South Africa. Peripheral neuropathy (PNP) is one of the major complications in HIV patients which may HIV majorly affects multiple sensory and motor nerves in the distal part of the limbs, called polyneuropathy. In this mostly people experience unusual sensation, numbness, and pain in their hands and feet and even touching can cause pain sensation. HIV sometimes can affect one nerve at a time which leads to pain, called Mononeuropathy. DSP (distal symmetric polyneuropathy) was recognized as a common neurological manifestation of AIDS, it is characterized by distal degeneration of long axons. Numerous treatment strategies were followed for HIV-NP like lamotrigine, capsaicin, cannabis etc. Here I reviewed many models for HIV neuropathy, for example, Model of HIV encephalitis (HIVE), humanized mouse model etc.

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