Glossary of HIV/AIDS Terms
This glossary contains 1,600 terms and is maintained by the editors of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation's Bulletin of Experimental Treatments for AIDS.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
gag: the HIV gene that encodes the core proteins of the virus; also refers to the protein (Gag) produced by this gene.
gall bladder: an abdominal organ that stores bile.
gamma globulin: a preparation of antibodies injected to prevent or treat infection; gamma globulin is used as postexposure prevention for certain diseases.
Compare with HDL.
gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (acronym GGT): a liver enzyme. Elevated GGT levels may indicate bile obstruction or liver damage; a normal GGT level is 30-60 IU/L.
gastric: refers to the stomach.
gastritis: inflammation of the mucosal lining of the stomach; gastroenteritis refers to inflammation of both the stomach and intestines.
gastrointestinal: refers to the stomach and intestines; the gastrointestinal tract is the digestive tube consisting of the mouth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.
GBV-C (aka hepatitis G virus): a recently discovered blood-borne virus that appears to be related to the hepatitis C virus, but is not known to cause disease.
G-CSF: See granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.
gene (adjective genetic): the basic unit of heredity. A gene contains hereditary information encoded in the form of DNA, located at a specific position on a chromosome in a cell's nucleus. Genes determine many aspects of anatomy and physiology by controlling the production of proteins; each individual has a unique sequence of genes, or genetic code.
gene expression: the production of a particular gene product, or protein.
gene therapy: an approach to preventing or treating illness by replacing, removing, or introducing genes, or otherwise manipulating genetic material.
generic drug: a drug that is not protected by a patent and may be produced by any manufacturer; a generic name is a common name that refers to a drug’s chemical identity, as opposed to a brand name used by a particular company for marketing purposes.
genetic engineering: manipulation of an organism's genetic material to modify the proteins it produces.
genetic material: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), the molecules that carry hereditary information.
genetic mutation: See mutation.
genital: refers to the reproductive or sexual organs.
genital herpes: See herpes simplex virus.
genital warts: See condylomata acuminata.
genitourinary: refers to the reproductive and urinary systems, especially in men, in whom the two systems share some organs in common.
genome (adjective genomic): the unique genetic code of an organism, carried by a set of chromosomes in the nucleus of each cell. The human genome contains an estimated 50,000–100,000 genes; the genome of HIV contains nine genes.
genotype (adjective genotypic): the specific genetic makeup or "blueprint" of an organism; genotypic resistance testing determines whether an organism's genetic structure contains certain mutations likely to make it resistant to a drug.
Compare with phenotype.
geriatric: refers to the process of aging or to the elderly.
gestation: pregnancy.
GGT: See gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.
gingivitis: gum disease; inflammation of the gingiva, the gums in the mouth that support the teeth. See also periodontal disease.
glitazones (aka thiazolidinediones): a class of antidiabetes drugs (e.g., pioglitazone [Actos], rosiglitazone [Avandia]) that promote cell sensitivity to insulin and increase glucose uptake by cells.
globulin: a blood protein.
glomerulonephritis: inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidney, often due to the buildup of immune complexes.
glomerulus (plural glomeruli, adjective glomerular): one of the small units in the kidney made up of capillaries and nerve fibers where blood filtration takes place.
glucocorticoid: one of a family of steroids (e.g., cortisol) that influence metabolism, help regulate the immune system, and exert an anti-inflammatory effect. See also corticosteroid.
gluconeogenesis: the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver.
glucose (aka blood sugar): a form of sugar that is the body's primary fuel; food and carbohydrates from foods are converted into glucose for storage in the body. Abnormally low or high blood glucose levels may indicate metabolic disturbances (e.g., diabetes mellitus).
gluteal: refers to the buttocks.
glycerol: the central structural component of triglycerides and phospholipids.
glycogen: a carbohydrate stored in body tissues. The liver converts glucose from food into glycogen and stores it for later use; when needed, the liver converts glycogen back into glucose.
glycoprotein (acronym gp): a small unit made up of a sugar and a protein molecule, often part of a cell's membrane; glycoproteins make up the envelope of HIV.
GM-CSF: See granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor.
gonad: an organ (ovary or testis) that produces gametes (ova and sperm).
gonadotropin: a hormone (e.g., follicle-stimulating hormone) that acts on the gonads to promote their growth and activity.
gonorrhea: a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea may be asymptomatic or may include symptoms such as urethritis, discharge, pelvic pain, and inflammation of the tissues of the genitals, rectum, and/or throat; untreated gonorrhea may spread to the upper genital tract and lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women.
gout: a painful condition caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the tissues, especially the large toe.
gp120: a glycoprotein on the HIV envelope that binds to CD4 receptors and chemokine coreceptors (e.g., CCR5, CRCX4), enabling the virus to enter host cells.
gp41: a glycoprotein on the surface of HIV that acts as an anchor in the viral envelope to hold gp120.
gram: a metric unit of weight; one ounce equals about 28 grams.
granulocyte: a type of immune system white blood cell (basophil, eosinophil, neutrophil) that contains granules of toxic chemicals that are released to kill microorganisms and mediate allergic reactions.
granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (acronym G-CSF, aka filgrastim, brand name Neupogen): a cytokine that stimulates the production of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell; genetically engineered G-CSF is used to treat neutropenia.
granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (acronym GM-CSF, aka sargramostim, brand name Leukine): a cytokine that stimulates growth of granulocytes and macrophages, two types of white blood cells; genetically engineered GM-CSF is used to promote white blood cell production, for example following a bone marrow transplant.
granulocytopenia: abnormally low number of granulocytes in the circulating blood; the term is typically used to refer to neutropenia.
growth factor: a factor responsible for regulating cell proliferation, development, migration, or differentiation.
growth hormone: See human growth hormone.
guanine: one of the purine nucleic acid bases that make up nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA and RNA
Guillain-Barré syndrome (aka inflammatory demyelinating pol): an acute autoimmune disease of the peripheral nerves characterized by sensory abnormalities and ascending bilateral muscular weakness or paralysis.
gynecology: the medical specialty concerned with the female genital and reproductive system.
gynecomastia: abnormal development of breast tissue in males.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z