Abstract
Retroviruses contain an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (a reverse transcriptase) that directs the synthesis of a DNA form of the viral genome after infection of a host cell. HTLV-1 and HIV-1 are known pathogenic human retroviruses which cause adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and AIDS, respectively. ATL was originally reported in Japan in 1976. AIDS was first recognized in the United States in 1981 and the global pandemic of AIDS became a menace to the mankind. The purpose of this lecture is to present the current information available on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these two diseases.
