for Health Care Providers
Glossary of HIV/AIDS Terms
Macrophage
A large immune cell that destroys invading infectious agents. Macrophages can hide large quantities of HIV without being killed, acting as reservoirs of the virus.
Macrophage-tropic virus
HIV strains that infect macrophages. They readily fuse with cells that have both CD4 and CCR5 molecules on their surfaces, whereas the same viral isolates fail to fuse with cells expressing only CD4. These isolates are the main ones found in patients during the symptom-free stage of HIV disease.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A noninvasive, non-x-ray diagnostic technique that provides computer-generated images of the body's internal tissues and organs.
Maintenance therapy
Also referred to as secondary prophylaxis. A therapy that prevents reoccurrence of an infection that has been brought under control.
Malabsorption syndrome
Decreased intestinal absorption of foods and nutrients resulting in loss of appetite, muscle pain, and weight loss.
See Wasting syndrome.
Malaria
An infectious disease characterized by cycles of chills, fever, and sweating, caused by a parasite transmitted by a host mosquito.
Malignant
Refers to cells or tumors growing in an uncontrolled fashion. Such growths may spread to and disrupt nearby normal tissue, or reach distant sites via the bloodstream. By definition, cancers are always malignant, and the term "malignancy" implies cancer.
See Metastasis.
Mast cell
A granulocyte found in tissue. The contents of the mast cells, along with those of basophils, are responsible for the symptoms of allergy.
Memory T cells
A subset of T lymphocytes that have been exposed to specific antigens and can then proliferate (i.e., reproduce) on subsequent immune system encounters with the same antigen.
Meninges
Membranes surrounding the brain or spinal cord. Part of the so-called blood-brain barrier.
See Meningitis.
Meningitis
An inflammation of the meninges (membranes surrounding the brain or spinal cord), which may be caused by a bacterium, fungus, or virus.
Meta-Analysis
A quantitative method of combining the results of independent studies (usually drawn from the published literature) and synthesizing summaries and conclusions.
Metabolism
The chemical changes in living cells by which energy is provided for vital processes and activities and new material is assimilated.
Microbicide
An agent (e.g., a chemical or antibiotic) that destroys microbes. In the field of HIV, may refer to rectal or vaginal compound given to prevent the transmission of HIV.
Micronutrients
Vitamins or minerals that are necessary to maintain health and that the body must obtain from outside sources.
Microsporidiosis
An intestinal infection that causes diarrhea and wasting in persons with HIV. It results from two species of microsporidia, a protozoal parasite. In HIV infection, it generally occurs when CD4+ T-cell counts fall below 100.
See Wasting syndrome; Pathogen; Protozoa.
Mitochondria
A rod-shaped or oval portion on the inside of a cell that produces most of the cell's energy.
Mitochondrial toxicity
Also referred to as mitochondrial dysfunction. A possible side effect of certain anti-HIV drugs, primarily early NRTIs such as zidovudine and stavudine, that results in mitochondrial damage. This damage can cause symptoms in the heart, nerves, muscles, pancreas, kidney, and liver, and it also can cause changes in lab tests. Some of the common conditions related to mitochondrial toxicity are muscle and nerve disease and inflammation of the pancreas.
Molluscum contagiosum
A disease of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum virus, MCV) infection. It is characterized by pearly white or flesh-colored papules (bumps) on the face, neck, and genital region. In persons living with HIV, molluscum contagiosum often is a progressive disease, resistant to treatment. When CD4+ cell counts fall below 200, the lesions tend to proliferate and spread.
Monocyte
A large white blood cell that ingests infectious agents or other cells and foreign particles. When a monocyte enters tissues, it develops into a macrophage.
Morbidity
The condition of being diseased or sick; also the incidence of disease or rate of sickness.
MSM
Men who have sex with men; a term created to include those who do not identify as gay or bisexual.
Mucocutaneous
Anything that concerns or pertains to mucous membranes and the skin (e.g., mouth, eyes, vagina, lips, or anal area).
Mucosal immunity
Resistance to infection across the mucous membranes. Dependent on immune cells and antibodies present in the lining of the urogenital tract, gastrointestinal tract, and other parts of the body exposed to the outside world.
Mucous membrane
Moist layer of tissue lining the digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive tracts — all the body cavities with openings to the outside world except the ears.
Multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
A strain of TB that does not respond to two or more standard TB drugs. MDR-TB usually occurs when treatment is interrupted, thus allowing organisms in which mutations for drug resistance have occurred to proliferate.
See Tuberculosis (TB).
Mutation
In biology, a sudden change in a gene or unit of hereditary material that results in a new inheritable characteristic. As related to HIV: During the course of HIV disease, mutated HIV strains may emerge in an infected individual. These mutated strains may differ widely in their ability to infect and kill different cell types, as well as in their rate of replication. Of course, HIV does not mutate into another type of virus.
Myalgia
Muscle pain or tenderness, sometimes accompanied by malaise (vague feeling of discomfort or weakness).
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)
A common opportunistic infection caused by two very similar mycobacterial organisms, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare (MAI), found in soil and dust particles. The infection that can be localized (limited to a specific organ or area of the body) or disseminated throughout the body. MAC disease is extremely rare in persons who are not infected with HIV. It generally occurs when the CD4+ T-cell count falls below 50 and the person is not on antiretroviral therapy or prophylaxis.
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