COMP Professor publishes book on HIV
A recently published book edited by Vishwanath Venketaraman, PhD, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Assistant Professor of Microbiology/Immunology, examines HIV transmission, how HIV infection alters the host immune responses, and the prevention and treatment of AIDS related diseases.
The book, “Global View of HIV Infection,” published by InTech, brings together authors from around the world, including areas with a high burden of HIV infection, to provide a comprehensive look at HIV and AIDS.
“HIV is a global health problem,” Dr. Venketaraman said. “It’s important we understand the disease.”
The book is intended for a broad audience, from students to researchers to those who want to know about the prevalence of AIDS, he said. The book provides detailed information on complications and related information, such as AIDS and tuberculosis, transmission of AIDS in male prisons, and clinical manifestations in the oral cavity, Dr. Venketaraman said. Click here to view the book.
AIDS does not have a vaccine, and many people living with AIDS cannot afford the medication to treat it, he said. The book will provide to researchers “knowledge to help devise better strategies for preventing or treating HIV,” Dr. Venketaraman said. “For the layman, it would at least give them awareness of how to protect themselves from not getting it and how to handle the situation if they get it.”
Dr. Venketaraman’s laboratory is actively trying to elucidate the role of glutathione in enhancing the host immune cell functions to control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a novel and previously undescribed phenomenon. Dr. Venketaraman’s long-term goal is to discover immunomodulatory agents that can be given as an adjunct to chemotherapy for controlling Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections in both non-HIV and HIV-infected individuals.
Among his many additional publications, Dr. Venketaraman is a lead author of:
1) A chapter, “Role of Cytokines and Chemokines in HIV Infection,” in the book HIV and AIDS – Updates on Biology, Immunology, Epidemiology and Treatment Strategies, published by InTech in October 2011. Co-authors are Devin Morris, Clare Donohou, Andrea Sipin, Steven Kung, Hyoung Oh, Mesharee Franklin, John P. Murad, Fadi T. Khasawneh, Beatrice Saviola, Timothy Guilford and Clare Donahue.
2) A research article, “Unveiling the Mechanisms for Decreased Glutathione in Individuals with HIV Infection,” in a special issue of Clinical and Developmental Immunology titled “HIV-Associated Tuberculosis 2012.” Co-authors are Devin Morris, Carlos Guerra, Clare Donahue, Hyoung Ho and Melissa Khurasany.
3) A research article, “Glutathione and adaptive immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in healthy and HIV infected individuals,” in the journal PLoS ONE. Co-authors are Carlos Guerra, Devin Morris, Andrea Sipin, Steven Kung, Mesharee Franklin, Dennis Gray, Michelle Tanzil, Federick Guilford and Fadi Khasawneh.
