Which type of immune cell does the HIV retrovirus primarily destroy?

The HIV retrovirus primarily targets and destroys CD4 T cells, which are crucial components of the immune system. CD4 T cells, also known as helper T cells, play a vital role in orchestrating the immune response by signaling other immune cells, including B cells and cytotoxic T cells, to perform their functions effectively. By specifically infecting and depleting these cells, HIV undermines the body's ability to mount an effective immune response, leading to immunodeficiency.

This destruction results in a progressive decline in the immune system's function, making the individual more susceptible to opportunistic infections and certain cancers, characteristic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Understanding the specific targeting of CD4 T cells by HIV is fundamental to grasping the disease's progression and the underlying mechanisms of HIV/AIDS.