Human retroviruses in the second decade: a personal perspective.

ABSTRACT

Human retroviruses have developed novel strategies for their propagation and survival. A consequence of their success has been the induction of an extraordinarily diverse set of human diseases, including AIDS, cancers and neurological and inflammatory disorders. Early research focused on their characterization, linkage to these diseases, and the mechanisms involved. Research should now aim at the eradication of human retroviruses and on treatment of infected people.