By Roberto A. Giraldo
www.RobertoGiraldo.com
Original Publication
This article was written in June 2000 and posted
during the Internet Discussion of the South African Presidential AIDS Advisory Panel
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1. A PROPOSAL FOR THE PHISIOLOGICAL PATHOGENESIS OF AIDS
Five types of immunological stressor agents can alter the functioning of the immune system: chemical, physical, biological, mental, and nutritional. Numerous facts illustrate the incremental growth of these agents in recent decades, as well as their diversity throughout countries and continents (1-3).
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Following this, certain infectious agents [25] find a unique opportunity to grow within the deficiency of the defensive functions [22], and generate a variety of infectious diseases [28], termed opportunistic infections. The deficiency of the homeostasis functions [23], depending on the physiological status of the tissues and organs of the individual [26], can be responsible for a variety of metabolic disturbances and conditions [29]. The deficiency in surveillance functions, together with the presence of carcinogen agents and all other factors involved in the carcinogenesis process, are responsible for the occurrence of neoplasias [30].
2. A PROPOSAL FOR THE MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS OF AIDS
At a molecular level, AIDS is caused by the accumulation of free radicals, especially oxidizing agents, in all systems, organs, and tissues, but principally within the cells and chemical reactions of the immune system (4,8,10-22). As a consequence, the clinical manifestations of AIDS¾ opportunistic infections, tumors, and metabolic disturbances and conditions¾ as well as the severity of the illness are directly proportional to the levels of free radicals, especially oxidizing agents in the tissues of the AIDS patient.
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Chemical [2] and biological [1] stressors, through an immunogenic effect [6] with an over stimulation/activation of immunocompetent cells of the immune response [8], stimulate the production of free radicals [9]. On the other hand, physical [3], mental [4], nutritional [5], and chemical [2] stressors cause an immunotoxic effect [7], either by acting directly as free radicals themselves [10], or through an indirect effect [11] can stimulate their production [12], contributing to a critical excess of free radicals [13]. The excess of radicals, together with over-saturation of the oxidation protective mechanisms [14], causes damage to immunocompetent cells through different chemical reactions [15], with degeneration of immunocompetent cells and reactions [16]. As a result, a collapse of all immunological functions will manifest itself with the subsequent and simultaneous appearance of opportunistic infections, metabolic conditions, and neoplasias. In other words, AIDS [17].
3. A PROPOSAL FOR THE DEFINITION OF AIDS
I propose to define AIDS as a toxic and nutritional syndrome, the most severe and profound of all acquired immunodeficiencies, due to multiple, repeated, and chronic exposures to immunological stressor agents. These stressors cause degenerative immunotoxic and immunogenic effects on immune cells and reactions, with the accumulation of free radicals, especially oxidizing agents, in all body systems but principally in the organs and tissues of the immune system. These progressive and continuous deleterious actions upon the immune system bring the individual to a collapse of immunological functions, with the subsequent and simultaneous appearance of infections, neoplasias, and metabolic conditions. Simultaneous with acting on the immune system, stressor agents alter the functioning of practically all other systems and organs. The continuation of this process eventually causes the death of the person (7-10).
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In brief, AIDS is neither an infectious disease nor is sexually transmitted. It is a toxic and nutritional syndrome caused by the alarming worldwide increment of immunological stressor agents.
REFERENCES
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Giraldo RA. AIDS and Stressors II: A Proposal for the Pathogenesis of AIDS. In: AIDS and Stressors: AIDS is Neither an Infectious Disease nor is Sexually Transmitted. It is a Toxic-Nutritional Syndrome Caused by the Alarming Worldwide Increment of Immunological Stressor Agents. Medellín, Colombia: Impresos Begón, 1997: 57-96.
Giraldo RA. AIDS and Stressors III: A Proposal for the Natural History of AIDS. In: AIDS and Stressors: AIDS is Neither an Infectious Disease nor is Sexually Transmitted. It is a Toxic-Nutritional Syndrome Caused by the Alarming Worldwide Increment of Immunological Stressor Agents. Medellín, Colombia: Impresos Begón, 1997: 97-131.
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