(By HIV
infection). Although monocytes and macrophages can be infected by HIV, they appear to be relatively resistant to killing. However, these cells travel throughout the body and carry HIV to various organs, especially the lungs and the brain. People infected with HIV often experience abnormalities in the
central nervous system. Investigators have hypothesized that an accumulation of HIV in brain and nerve cells or the inappropriate release of
cytokines or toxic byproducts by these cells may be to blame for the neurological manifestations of HIV disease. See also
Cytokines;
Macrophage;
Monocyte.