Glossary of HIV/AIDS Related Terms
(Starting with "L")
By
AIDSinfo,
Glossary of HIV/AIDS Related Terms, 5th Edition, AIDSinfo,
October 2005
ContactUs[at]aidsinfo.nih.gov
http://aidsinfo.nih.gov
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LAS
See: Lymphadenopathy
Syndrome
LGV
See: Lymphogranuloma
Venereum
LIP
See: Lymphoid Interstitial
Pneumonitis
Lactic Acidosis
A condition caused by a buildup of lactate, a cellular
waste product, in the blood. Symptoms, if any, may include
stomach and breathing problems and general weakness.
Severe, untreated lactic acidosis can be life threatening.
Increased lactate levels, often combined with hepatic
steatosis, may occur in HIV-infected individuals taking
NRTIs.
See Also: Hepatic
Steatosis
Latency
The time period when an infectious organism is in the
body but is not producing any noticeable symptoms. In
HIV disease, latency usually occurs in the early years
of infection. Also refers to the period when HIV has
integrated its genome into a cell's DNA but has not
yet begun to replicate.
Lentivirus
A subgroup of the retrovirus family that includes HIV.
Lentiviruses are characterized by a long time period
between infection and the onset of symptoms.
See Also: Retrovirus
Incubation
Period
Lesion
An area of the body where tissue is abnormal, such as
an infected patch or sore on the skin.
Leukocytes
See: White
Blood Cells
Leukocytosis
An abnormally high number of white blood cells in the
blood. This condition usually occurs during infection
or inflammation.
See Also: White
Blood Cells
Leukopenia
A lower than normal number of white blood cells.
Leukoplakia
See: Oral
Hairy Leukoplakia
Lipid
Any member of a chemical group of fats or fat-like substances.
Lipid Profile
A group of blood tests that are often ordered together
to evaluate an individual's risk for heart disease or
stroke. These tests include measurement of total cholesterol,
HDL-cholesterol ("good" cholesterol), LDL-cholesterol
("bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides.
See Also: Cholesterol
Triglycerides
Hyperlipidemia
Lipoatrophy
Loss of body fat from particular areas of the body,
especially the arms, legs, face, and buttocks. Lipoatrophy
is a potential side effect of some NRTIs.
Lipodystrophy
A problem with the way the body produces, uses, and
distributes fat. Lipodystrophy is associated with certain
anti-HIV drugs. HIV-related lipodystrophy includes the
body changes known as "buffalo hump" and "protease
paunch."
Lipohypertrophy
Also known as hyperadiposity. Abnormal buildup of fat,
particularly in the breasts, on the back of the neck
and upper shoulders ("buffalo hump"), deep
within the abdomen ("protease paunch"), or
in fatty growths known as lipomas. Lipohypertrophy may
occur with the use of some PIs and NRTIs.
See Also: Lipodystrophy
Liver Function Tests
Blood tests that measure the levels of liver enzymes
(proteins made and used by the liver) to determine if
the liver is working properly. The liver enzymes that
are routinely measured as part of liver function tests
are aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase
(ALT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), serum glutamic
oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), and serum glutamic
pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). Increased levels of these
enzymes indicate that the liver has been damaged.
See Also: Hepatotoxicity
Log
This mathematical term represents a change in value
of what is being measured by a factor of 10. Changes
in viral load (the amount of HIV in the blood) are often
reported as logarithmic or "log" changes.
For example, if the viral load is 20,000 copies/mL,
then a 1-log increase equals a 10-fold (10 times) increase,
or 200,000 copies/mL. A 2-log increase equals a 100-fold
increase, or 2,000,000 copies/mL.
Long-Term Nonprogressors
People who have been infected with HIV for a number
of years (usually at least 7), but have had stable CD4
cell counts of 600 or more, no HIV-related diseases,
and no need for anti-HIV therapy.
Lumbar Puncture
See: Spinal
Tap
Lymph
A clear, slightly yellow fluid that carries disease-fighting
white blood cells from the blood to and from body tissues.
Lymph Nodes
Very small organs of the immune system that are located
throughout the body. Lymph fluid that bathes body tissues
is filtered through lymph nodes as it carries white
blood cells to and from the blood.
See Also: Lymph
Lymphadenopathy
Syndrome
Lymphadenopathy Syndrome (LAS)
Swollen, firm, and possibly tender lymph nodes. The
causes range from infection such as HIV, the flu, or
mononucleosis to lymphoma (cancer of the lymphoid tissue).
See Also: Lymph
Nodes
Lymphocyte
A type of infection-fighting white blood cell found
in the blood, lymph, and lymphoid tissue.
Lymphocyte Proliferation Assay
A laboratory test that measures the ability of lymphocytes
(infection-fighting white blood cells) to recognize
an antigen and make more copies of themselves (proliferate)
in response to the antigen encounter.
See Also: Antigen
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
A sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a species
of the chlamydia bacterium. It is characterized by genital
lesions and swelling of lymph nodes in the groin.
See Also: Chlamydia
Lymphoid Interstitial Pneumonitis
(LIP)
A lung disorder that causes hardening of the parts of
the lung that aid in oxygen absorption. The cause of
LIP is unknown, and there is no clear treatment. LIP
is an AIDS-defining condition in HIV-infected children.
Lymphokines
Cytokines (chemical messengers that affect the immune
response) secreted by white blood cells.
See Also: Cytokines
Lymphoma
Cancer of the lymphoid tissues. Some types of lymphomas,
such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease,
are associated with HIV infection.
Lymphopenia
A lower than normal number of white blood cells.
Lymphoproliferative Response
An immune system response that results in a rapid rise
in the number of white blood cells.
Lysis
The destructive breaking apart of a cell.
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