• Specialty
  • Cardiology
  • Dentistry
  • Dermatology
  • General Medicine
  • GI/GU
  • Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Lab Medicine & Pathology
  • Neuro-Psych
  • OB-Gyn
  • Oncology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopaedic
  • Otolaryngology - ENT
  • Radiology
  • Surgery

• Immunology
  • AIDS HIV Terms
  • Immunization Terms
  • Immunology Terms
  • Sample Reports - Allergy / Immunology

• AIDS HIV Terms

AIDS-HIV Related Terms

- F -

• Fat Redistribution

Also called body fat redistribution syndrome (BFR). Changes in body fat distribution, sometimes referred to as 'lipodystrophy syndrome' or 'fat redistribution syndrome,' have been observed in patients taking protease inhibitors. Changes may include visceral fat accumulation ('protease paunch'), dorsocervical fat accumulation ('buffalo hump'), extremity wasting with venous prominence, facial thinning, breast enlargement, and lipomatosis.



• FDA

See Food and Drug Administration.



• FDC

See Follicular Dendritic Cells.



• Floaters

Drifting dark spots within the field of vision. Floaters can be caused by infection with Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, but also can appear in persons as a normal part of the aging process.



• Follicle

A small anatomical sac, cavity, or deep narrow-mouthed depression (e.g., a hair follicle).



• Follicular Dendritic Cells (FDCS)

Cells found in the germinal centers of lymphoid organs. FDCs have thread-like tentacles that form a web-like network to trap invaders and present them to other cells of the immune system for destruction. See Lymphoid Organs.



• Food And Drug Administration (FDA)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of all drugs, biologics, vaccines, and medical devices, including those used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection, AIDS, and AIDS-related opportunistic infections. The FDA also works with the blood banking industry to safeguard the nation's blood supply. Internet address



• Functional Antibody

An antibody that binds to an antigen and has an effect. For example, neutralizing antibodies inactivate HIV or prevent it from infecting other cells.



• Fungus

One of a group of primitive, nonvascular organisms including mushrooms, yeasts, rusts, and molds.



• FUSIN

See CXCR4.



• Fusion Inhibitor

A class of antiretroviral agents that binds to the gp41 envelope protein and blocks the structural changes necessary for the virus to fuse with the host CD4 cell. When the virus cannot penetrate the host cell membrane and infect the cell, HIV replication within that host cell is prevented.



• Fusion Mechanism

Fusion is an integral step in the process whereby HIV enters cells. Researchers have found that in addition to the primary receptor, the CD4 molecule, other cofactors, such as CCR5 and CXCR4 are needed in order for HIV to fuse with the membranes of the immune system cells.