Science and technology in mitigating AIDS.

The workshop emphasized contributions of genetic engineering in providing reagents and techniques for diagnosing and monitoring HIV infections. Despite a variety of tests for specific antibodies, virus antigens and nucleic acids no consistent serum profile has emerged that correlates well with virus life cycle or clinical course. HIV infections are a great deal more complex than hepatitis B infections where diagnosis and prognosis are very accurately based on serologic profiles. HIV generates at least 15 virus proteins all of which are immunogenic. The workshop emphasized studies on immunogenicity of the proteins. Full understanding of the virus life cycle and the clinical course of disease may require in-depth studies of the production and immunogenicity of the virus-directed catalytic and regulatory gene products. Fortunately, all of these reagents can be produced through biotechnology. The new techniques described in the workshop will allow expanded studies to proceed rapidly.