Dictionary

humerus The long bone in the upper arm that extends from the shoulder to the elbow.

human papillomavirus One of the family of more than 100 viruses that are responsible for causing warts. Abbreviated HPV. The majority of HPVs produce warts on the hands, fingers, or face. Most of these warts are innocuous, causing nothing more than cosmetic concerns. Several types of HPV are confined primarily to the moist skin of…

human leukocyte antigen See HLA.

human immunodeficiency virus See HIV.

human herpesvirus 8 A herpesvirus that may contribute to Kaposi sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that is sometimes seen in AIDS patients, and to some B-cell lymphomas. Abbreviated HHV-8. Diagnosis is made via rapid blood culture or other blood test. Treatment is experimental at this time, but antiviral drugs or beta interferon may be…

human herpesvirus 7 A herpes virus that causes seizures and other central nervous system symptoms in children. Abbreviated HHV-7. Closely related to HHV-6, HHV-7 has also been linked to roseola. Diagnosis is made via rapid blood culture or other blood test. Treatment is experimental at this time, but antiviral drugs or beta interferon may be…

human herpesvirus 6 A herpes virus that apparently lies dormant in many people, and is most likely to cause problems when the immune system is compromised by disease, as in AIDS patients, or by deliberate immune suppression, as in organ transplant patients. Abbreviated HHV-6. There are two forms of HHV-6: A and B. A is…

human herpesvirus 1 through 5 See HHV.

Human Genome Project Begun formally in 1990, the US Human Genome Project was an international effort coordinated by the US. Its goals included the identification and sequencing (ordering) of all the bases in the human genome. US participation in this monumental undertaking was supported by funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the…

Human Genome Organization See HUGO.

human genome See genome, human.

human gene therapy See gene therapy.