Long-term nonprogressor

Long-term nonprogressor (LTNP), pronounced /lɔːŋ tɜːm nɒnprəʊɡrɛsər/, is a term used in the field of HIV/AIDS research to describe individuals who are infected with HIV, but whose disease progression is significantly slower or halted compared to the typical progression. The etymology of the term is derived from the English words "long-term" meaning over a long period of time, and "nonprogressor" meaning not advancing.

Definition

A long-term nonprogressor is an individual who has been infected with HIV for at least seven to ten years (the exact time frame can vary), but has not shown significant clinical symptoms or a decrease in CD4 cell count. These individuals maintain a stable viral load and do not require antiretroviral therapy (ART) to manage their HIV infection.

Causes

The exact cause of the long-term nonprogressor phenomenon is not fully understood. However, it is believed to be due to a combination of factors including genetic factors, immune response, and the strain of HIV. Some long-term nonprogressors carry a genetic mutation known as CCR5-delta32 that makes their CD4 cells resistant to HIV.

Related Terms

Elite controller: An individual with HIV who maintains a very low or undetectable viral load without the use of ART.
Viremia: The presence of viruses in the blood.
Seroconversion: The period of time during which HIV antibodies develop and become detectable.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): A short-term treatment started as soon as possible after high-risk exposure to an infectious agent, such as HIV, to prevent infection.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Long-term nonprogressor
Wikipedia's article - Long-term nonprogressor

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Long-term nonprogressor