In 1983, a team of scientists from the Pasteur Institute in Paris, led by Luc Montagnier, made a breakthrough discovery of the HIV virus - the pathogen responsible for AIDS. This event marked the beginning of a new era in medicine and the fight against the AIDS epidemic.

Discovery of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is one of the most important moments in 20th-century medical history. This breakthrough event had an enormous impact on understanding and fighting the AIDS epidemic, which affected millions of people worldwide.

Although the first AIDS cases were identified in the early 1980s, the path to discovering HIV was long and complicated. Scientists from different countries conducted intensive research to understand the cause of this mysterious disease that weakened patients' immune systems. Their efforts ultimately led to the identification of the virus responsible for AIDS.

The history of HIV virus discovery is a fascinating story of scientific race and breakthrough research. The process of identifying the pathogen responsible for AIDS took several years and involved scientists from various countries.

The first AIDS cases were identified in the United States in 1981. Doctors in Los Angeles and New York observed rare infections and cancers in young, homosexual men, indicating severe immune system impairment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta officially described this new disease on June 5, 1981. In the following months, similar cases were reported among intravenous drug users, hemophiliacs, and immigrants from Haiti.

Discovering the cause of AIDS became a priority for scientists worldwide. Two research teams conducted intensive work:

1. French team:

• Led by Luc Montagnier at the Pasteur Institute in Paris
• In 1983 isolated a virus named LAV (Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus)

2. American team:

• Led by Robert Gallo at the National Cancer Institute in the USA
• In 1984 announced the discovery of HTLV-III (Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus type III)

Later studies showed that LAV and HTLV-III were the same virus. In 1986, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses gave it the official name HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The discovery of HIV enabled the development of diagnostic tests, initiated research on antiretroviral drugs, and marked the beginning of a new era in the fight against AIDS.

1983 went down in medical history as a turning point in AIDS research. It was then that scientists from the Pasteur Institute in Paris made a crucial discovery by isolating the virus responsible for this disease.

The Pasteur Institute in Paris played a key role in discovering the HIV virus. The research team, led by virologist Luc Montagnier, focused on analyzing samples taken from patients with AIDS symptoms. Scientists used advanced laboratory techniques, including cell cultures and electron microscopy, to identify the previously unknown pathogen. The Pasteur Institute's research was characterized by a systematic approach and close collaboration between specialists from various fields, which contributed to the success in isolating the virus.

Luc Montagnier, a French virologist, along with his team, including Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, made the breakthrough discovery of the HIV virus. On May 20, 1983, the scientists published their research results in the prestigious journal "Science". Montagnier identified the virus, initially named LAV (Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus), in the lymph nodes of a patient with pre-AIDS symptoms. This discovery enabled a better understanding of the virus's mechanisms and paved the way for developing diagnostic tests. For their achievement, Montagnier and Barré-Sinoussi received the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, highlighting the significance of their work for global public health.

The discovery of HIV, despite its groundbreaking significance, was not without controversy. Scientific and political disputes cast a shadow over this epochal achievement, raising doubts about the priority of discovery and the involvement of individual scientists in this process.

Robert Gallo, an American virologist, played a crucial role in HIV research, but his contribution became a subject of controversy. Gallo announced the discovery of HIV in 1984, a year after the French team. His research contributed to the development of diagnostic tests and better understanding of the virus biology. Gallo claimed he independently isolated the virus, naming it HTLV-III. His work confirmed that HIV is the cause of AIDS, which was immensely important for further research. Controversies arose when it was revealed that the virus studied by Gallo was identical to the one discovered by the French team.

The dispute over the priority of HIV discovery erupted between the teams of Luc Montagnier and Robert Gallo. French scientists published their results in 1983, identifying the LAV virus. A year later, Gallo announced the discovery of HTLV-III. Controversies intensified when genetic analyses showed that both viruses were identical. In 1987, the presidents of the USA and France signed an agreement recognizing both groups as co-discoverers. The dispute officially ended in 1994 when the US National Institutes of Health acknowledged that the virus studied by Gallo came from Montagnier's laboratory. This controversy highlighted the importance of international collaboration and ethics in scientific research.

The discovery of HIV initiated an intensive period of research and progress in virology and immunology. Understanding the nature of the virus enabled scientists to develop more effective diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

HIV diagnostics has undergone significant evolution since the virus's discovery. The first serological tests, introduced in 1985, detected anti-HIV antibodies. Subsequent years brought the development of more advanced diagnostic methods:

• Western blot tests: confirming screening test results
• p24 antigen tests: enabling earlier infection detection
• PCR tests: detecting viral genetic material
• Fourth-generation tests: combining antibody and p24 antigen detection

Modern diagnostic tests are characterized by high sensitivity and specificity, enabling HIV infection detection as early as 10-14 days after exposure.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has undergone revolutionary changes since the introduction of the first drug, zidovudine (AZT), in 1987. Key milestones in HIV treatment development include:

1. AZT monotherapy (1987)
2. Dual therapy (1995)
3. Introduction of protease inhibitors (1996)
4. HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) - triple therapy (1996)
5. Extended-release single-tablet regimens (2006)
6. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (2012)

Modern HIV treatment regimens are characterized by high effectiveness, lower toxicity, and better tolerance. Patients on ART can achieve undetectable viral loads, significantly reducing the risk of HIV transmission.

The discovery of HIV revolutionized the approach to public health worldwide. It enabled the development of effective strategies for preventing, diagnosing, and treating HIV/AIDS, which contributed to significantly limiting virus spread and improving the quality of life for infected individuals.

The discovery of HIV led to the development of comprehensive prevention and education programs. Information campaigns focused on promoting safe sexual behaviors, condom use, and sterile needle practices. Needle exchange programs were introduced for drug users, reducing infection risk. Sexual education in schools was expanded to include HIV/AIDS topics. Specialized training programs were developed for medical personnel, increasing awareness and skills in caring for HIV patients. Blood and organ screening for transplants became standard practice, minimizing infection risk during transfusions and transplantations.

The discovery of HIV intensified international cooperation in combating the AIDS epidemic. In 1996, UNAIDS was established as a UN program coordinating global actions against HIV/AIDS. The Global Fund, created in 2002, invested billions of dollars in prevention, treatment, and care programs. The PEPFAR initiative, launched by the USA in 2003, provided access to antiretroviral medications for millions of people in low-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed global strategies and guidelines for HIV testing, treatment, and care. International scientific research accelerated the development of new treatment methods and potential vaccines. These actions contributed to a 40% decrease in new HIV infections since 1998 and a 60% reduction in AIDS-related deaths since 2004.

• HIV virus was discovered in 1983 by a team of scientists from the Pasteur Institute in Paris, led by Luc Montagnier.
• The discovery of HIV came as a result of intensive research into the cause of AIDS, first identified in 1981.
• Controversies surrounding HIV discovery involved a priority dispute between the teams of Luc Montagnier and Robert Gallo.
• The virus discovery enabled the development of effective diagnostic tests and antiretroviral therapy (ART).
• Knowledge about HIV contributed to the creation of global prevention and educational programs, significantly reducing the spread of the virus.
• International cooperation in the fight against HIV/AIDS has led to a 40% decrease in new infections since 1998 and a 60% reduction in AIDS-related deaths since 2004.

The discovery of HIV virus in the 1980s was a breakthrough moment in medical history. It led to enormous progress in understanding AIDS, enabling the development of effective diagnostic and treatment methods.

Thanks to this discovery, it was possible to significantly reduce the spread of the virus and improve the quality of life for infected individuals. Comprehensive prevention and educational programs were also introduced worldwide.

Despite controversies surrounding the priority of discovery, international cooperation in the fight against HIV/AIDS has brought measurable results. The number of new infections and AIDS-related deaths has decreased, demonstrating the importance of this epochal scientific achievement.