Organisms

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus. A non-taxonomic and historical term referring to any of two species, specifically HIV-1 and/or HIV-2. Prior to 1986, this was called human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV). From 1986-1990, it was an official species called HIV. Since 1991, HIV was no longer considered an official species name; the two species were designated HIV-1 and HIV-2.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus. A non-taxonomic and historical term referring to any of two species, specifically HIV-1 and/or HIV-2. Prior to 1986, this was called human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV). From 1986-1990, it was an official species called HIV. Since 1991, HIV was no longer considered an official species name; the two species were designated HIV-1 and HIV-2.

MeSH Record

Classification

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MeSH Record

See Also

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Synonyms

25 entry terms
  • AIDS Virus
  • Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
  • HTLV-III
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Human Immunodeficiency Viruses
  • Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type III
  • Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type III
  • Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type III
  • Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type III
  • Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type III
  • Immunodeficiency Virus, Human
  • Immunodeficiency Viruses, Human
  • LAV-HTLV-III
  • Lymphadenopathy-Associated Virus
  • Virus, Human Immunodeficiency
  • Viruses, Human Immunodeficiency
  • AIDS Viruses
  • Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type III
  • Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus
  • Lymphadenopathy-Associated Viruses
  • Virus, AIDS
  • Virus, Lymphadenopathy-Associated
  • Viruses, AIDS
  • Viruses, Lymphadenopathy-Associated

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

13 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, drug effects, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pathogenicity, physiology, radiation effects, ultrastructure.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

infection = HIV INFECTIONS but note specifics; do not confuse the old name HTLV-III with the Deltaretrovirus HTLV-3

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History Note

1988; use HTLV-III 1987; for AIDS VIRUS use HIV-1 1990-2004; for HUMAN T-CELL LEUKEMIA VIRUS TYPE III see HIV 1987-1991

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Previous Indexing

  • Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus (1984-1986)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. B04w.820w.650w.589w.650.350w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QW 168.5.H6

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. HIV. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D006678. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D006678
  2. HIV. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV
  3. HIV. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15787