An in-silico investigation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman accessible heterocyclic analogues for applications as novel HIV-1 C protease inhibitors
- Authors: Sigauke, Lester Takunda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Protease inhibitors , Heterocyclic compounds , HIV (Viruses) , HIV infections , Drug resistance , Cheminformatics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017913
- Description: Cheminformatic approaches have been employed to optimize the bis-coumarin scaffold identified by Onywera et al. (2012) as a potential hit against the protease HIV-1 protein. The Open Babel library of commands was used to access functions that were incorporated into a markov chain recursive program that generated 17750 analogues of the bis-coumarin scaffold. The Morita-Baylis-Hillman accessible heterocycles were used to introduce structural diversity within the virtual library. In silico high through-put virtual screening using AutoDock Vina was used to rapidly screen the virtual library ligand set against 61 protease models built by Onywera et al. (2012). CheS-Mapper computed a principle component analysis of the compounds based on 13 selected chemical descriptors. The compounds were plotted against the principle component analysis within a 3 dimensional chemical space in order to inspect the diversity of the virtual library. The physicochemical properties and binding affinities were used to identify the top 3 performing ligands. ACPYPE was used to inspect the constitutional properties and eliminated virtual compounds that possessed open valences. Chromene based ligand 805 and ligand 6610 were selected as the lead candidates from the high-throughput virtual screening procedure we employed. Molecular dynamic simulations of the lead candidates performed for 5 ns allowed the stability of the ligand protein complexes with protease model 305152. The free energy of binding of the leads with protease model 305152 was computed over the first 50 ps of simulation using the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann method. Analysis structural features and energy profiles from molecular dynamic simulations of the protein–ligand complexes indicated that although ligand 805 had a weaker binding affinity in terms of docking, it outperformed ligand 6610 in terms of complex stability and free energy of binding. Medicinal chemistry approaches will be used to optimize the lead candidates before their analogues will be synthesized and assayed for in vivo protease activity.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sigauke, Lester Takunda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Protease inhibitors , Heterocyclic compounds , HIV (Viruses) , HIV infections , Drug resistance , Cheminformatics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017913
- Description: Cheminformatic approaches have been employed to optimize the bis-coumarin scaffold identified by Onywera et al. (2012) as a potential hit against the protease HIV-1 protein. The Open Babel library of commands was used to access functions that were incorporated into a markov chain recursive program that generated 17750 analogues of the bis-coumarin scaffold. The Morita-Baylis-Hillman accessible heterocycles were used to introduce structural diversity within the virtual library. In silico high through-put virtual screening using AutoDock Vina was used to rapidly screen the virtual library ligand set against 61 protease models built by Onywera et al. (2012). CheS-Mapper computed a principle component analysis of the compounds based on 13 selected chemical descriptors. The compounds were plotted against the principle component analysis within a 3 dimensional chemical space in order to inspect the diversity of the virtual library. The physicochemical properties and binding affinities were used to identify the top 3 performing ligands. ACPYPE was used to inspect the constitutional properties and eliminated virtual compounds that possessed open valences. Chromene based ligand 805 and ligand 6610 were selected as the lead candidates from the high-throughput virtual screening procedure we employed. Molecular dynamic simulations of the lead candidates performed for 5 ns allowed the stability of the ligand protein complexes with protease model 305152. The free energy of binding of the leads with protease model 305152 was computed over the first 50 ps of simulation using the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann method. Analysis structural features and energy profiles from molecular dynamic simulations of the protein–ligand complexes indicated that although ligand 805 had a weaker binding affinity in terms of docking, it outperformed ligand 6610 in terms of complex stability and free energy of binding. Medicinal chemistry approaches will be used to optimize the lead candidates before their analogues will be synthesized and assayed for in vivo protease activity.
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Application of Baylis-Hillman methodology in the synthesis of HIV-1 enzyme inhibitors
- Authors: Manyeruke, Meloddy Hlatini
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: HIV infections , Enzyme inhibitors , AZT (Drug) , Bioconjugates
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4540 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017920
- Description: The application of Baylis-Hillman methodology has afforded access to a range of β-hydroxypropionate ester-AZT conjugates as potential dual-action HIV-1 IN/RT inhibitors. Two families comprising a total of nine β-hydroxypropionate ester-AZT conjugates were synthesised. The first family was accessed using O-benzylated salicylaldehydes and methyl acrylate and the second from unprotected salicylaldehydes using tert-butyl acrylate as the activated alkene. Spectroscopic methods were employed to fully characterize the compounds. Propargylation of the respective Baylis-Hillman adducts was achieved via conjugate addition of propargylamine. The resulting products were then employed in Cu(I)-catalysed “click” reactions with azidothymidine (AZT) to yield the desired β-hydroxypropionate ester-AZT conjugates. Exploratory studies were also conducted to access 4-hydroxycoumarins from Baylis-Hillman derived adducts and to construct customized chiral Baylis-Hillman reaction sites. Many 4- hydroxycoumarins are known to exhibit a wide range of biological activities, and extending Baylis-Hillman methodology to access these systems is an important challenge. Two approaches were investigated. The first involved the formation of a 4-phthalimidocoumarin, aromatisation and hydrolysis of which was expected to lead to the 4-hydroxycoumarin target. The second, a variation of the first, involved the use of 4-(chrolomethyl)coumarin intermediates. Unfortunately, while various intermediates were prepared and characterised, neither approach led ultimately to the desired targets. N-substituted borneol-10-sulfonamides were constructed from camphor-10- sulfonyl chloride as chiral Baylis-Hillman reaction sites. In a preliminary study, however, none of the N-substituted borneol-10-sulfonamides exhibited Baylis-Hillman catalytic activity.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Manyeruke, Meloddy Hlatini
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: HIV infections , Enzyme inhibitors , AZT (Drug) , Bioconjugates
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4540 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017920
- Description: The application of Baylis-Hillman methodology has afforded access to a range of β-hydroxypropionate ester-AZT conjugates as potential dual-action HIV-1 IN/RT inhibitors. Two families comprising a total of nine β-hydroxypropionate ester-AZT conjugates were synthesised. The first family was accessed using O-benzylated salicylaldehydes and methyl acrylate and the second from unprotected salicylaldehydes using tert-butyl acrylate as the activated alkene. Spectroscopic methods were employed to fully characterize the compounds. Propargylation of the respective Baylis-Hillman adducts was achieved via conjugate addition of propargylamine. The resulting products were then employed in Cu(I)-catalysed “click” reactions with azidothymidine (AZT) to yield the desired β-hydroxypropionate ester-AZT conjugates. Exploratory studies were also conducted to access 4-hydroxycoumarins from Baylis-Hillman derived adducts and to construct customized chiral Baylis-Hillman reaction sites. Many 4- hydroxycoumarins are known to exhibit a wide range of biological activities, and extending Baylis-Hillman methodology to access these systems is an important challenge. Two approaches were investigated. The first involved the formation of a 4-phthalimidocoumarin, aromatisation and hydrolysis of which was expected to lead to the 4-hydroxycoumarin target. The second, a variation of the first, involved the use of 4-(chrolomethyl)coumarin intermediates. Unfortunately, while various intermediates were prepared and characterised, neither approach led ultimately to the desired targets. N-substituted borneol-10-sulfonamides were constructed from camphor-10- sulfonyl chloride as chiral Baylis-Hillman reaction sites. In a preliminary study, however, none of the N-substituted borneol-10-sulfonamides exhibited Baylis-Hillman catalytic activity.
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Structural studies on yeast eIF5A using biomolecular NMR and molecular dynamics
- Authors: Sigauke, Lester Takunda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Molecular dynamics , Reverse transcriptase , HIV (Viruses) , HIV infections , Eukaryotic cells , Yeast
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4547 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017927
- Description: Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A, eIF5A, is a ubiquitous eukaryotic protein that has been shown to influence the translation initiation of a specific subset of mRNAs. It is the only protein known to undergo hypusination in a two-step post translational modification process involving deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH) enzymes. Hypusination has been shown to influence translation of HIV-1 and HTLV-1 nuclear export signals, while the involvement of active hypusinated eIF5A in induction of IRES mediated processes that initiate pro-apoptotic process have inspired studies into the manipulation of eIF5A in anti-cancer and anti-diabetic therapies. eIF5A oligomerisation in eukaryotic systems has been shown to be influenced by hypusination and the mechanism of dimerisation is RNA dependent. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy approaches were proposed to solve the structure of the hypusinated eIF5A in solution in order to understand the influence of hypusination on the monomeric arrangement which enhances dimerisation and activates the protein. Cleavage of the 18 kDa protein monomer by introduction of thrombin cleavage site within the flexible domain was thought to give rise to 10 kDa fragments accessible to a 600 MHz NMR spectrometer. Heteronuclear single quantum correlation experiments of the mutated isotopically labelled protein expressed in E. coli showed that the eIF5A protein with a thrombin cleavage insert, eIF5AThr (eIF5A subscript Thr), was unfolded. In silico investigations of the behaviour of eIF5A and eIF5AThr (eIF5A subscript Thr) models in solution using molecular dynamics showed that the mutated model had different solution dynamics to the native model. Chemical shift predictors were used to extract atomic resolution data of solution dynamics and the introduction of rigidity in the flexible loop region of eIF5A affected solution behaviour consistent with lack of in vivo function of eIF5AThr (eIF5A subscript Thr) in yeast. Residual dipolar coupling and T₁ relaxation times were calculated in anticipation of the extraction of experimental data from RDC and relaxation dispersion experiments based on HSQC measurable restraints.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sigauke, Lester Takunda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Molecular dynamics , Reverse transcriptase , HIV (Viruses) , HIV infections , Eukaryotic cells , Yeast
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4547 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017927
- Description: Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A, eIF5A, is a ubiquitous eukaryotic protein that has been shown to influence the translation initiation of a specific subset of mRNAs. It is the only protein known to undergo hypusination in a two-step post translational modification process involving deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH) enzymes. Hypusination has been shown to influence translation of HIV-1 and HTLV-1 nuclear export signals, while the involvement of active hypusinated eIF5A in induction of IRES mediated processes that initiate pro-apoptotic process have inspired studies into the manipulation of eIF5A in anti-cancer and anti-diabetic therapies. eIF5A oligomerisation in eukaryotic systems has been shown to be influenced by hypusination and the mechanism of dimerisation is RNA dependent. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy approaches were proposed to solve the structure of the hypusinated eIF5A in solution in order to understand the influence of hypusination on the monomeric arrangement which enhances dimerisation and activates the protein. Cleavage of the 18 kDa protein monomer by introduction of thrombin cleavage site within the flexible domain was thought to give rise to 10 kDa fragments accessible to a 600 MHz NMR spectrometer. Heteronuclear single quantum correlation experiments of the mutated isotopically labelled protein expressed in E. coli showed that the eIF5A protein with a thrombin cleavage insert, eIF5AThr (eIF5A subscript Thr), was unfolded. In silico investigations of the behaviour of eIF5A and eIF5AThr (eIF5A subscript Thr) models in solution using molecular dynamics showed that the mutated model had different solution dynamics to the native model. Chemical shift predictors were used to extract atomic resolution data of solution dynamics and the introduction of rigidity in the flexible loop region of eIF5A affected solution behaviour consistent with lack of in vivo function of eIF5AThr (eIF5A subscript Thr) in yeast. Residual dipolar coupling and T₁ relaxation times were calculated in anticipation of the extraction of experimental data from RDC and relaxation dispersion experiments based on HSQC measurable restraints.
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Studies directed towards the synthesis of chromone carbaldehyde-derived HIV-1 protease inhibitors
- Authors: Molefe, Duduzile Mabel
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Protease Inhibitors , HIV infections , HIV (Viruses) , AIDS (Disease) , Proteolytic enzymes , Heterocyclic compounds -- Derivatives , Chemical kinetics , Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4526 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015542
- Description: A series of chromone-3-carbaldehydes have been prepared using Vilsmeier-Haack methodology while a corresponding series of chromone-2-carbaldeydes have been synthesized via the Kostanecki-Robinson reaction. Baylis-Hillman reactions have been conducted on both series of chromone carbaldehydes using three different catalysts, viz., 1,4-diazabicyclo(2.2.2]octane (DABCO), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec- 7-ene (DBU) and 3-hydroxyquinuclidine (3HQ), and acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate and methyl vinyl ketone as the activated alkenes. These reactions have typically (but not always!) afforded both normal Baylis-Hillman and dimeric products. Attention has also been given to the use of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidine (1-NMP), an ionic liquid, to replace normal organic solvents, and it has been found that, in the presence of DABCO, chromone-3-carbaldehydes afford the dimeric products alone. Reactions of chromone-3-carbaldehydes with methyl vinyl ketone have yielded unexpected, novel adducts, which appear to arise from preferential attack at C(2) in the chromone nucleus. Research on chromone-2-carbaldeydes under Baylis-Hillman conditions has also resulted in the formation of some interesting products instead of the expected Baylis-Hillman adducts. The Baylis-Hillman products have been explored as substrates for aza-Michael reactions using various amino derivatives including protected amino acids in the presence of the tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) and the ionic liquid, 3-butyl-1- methylimidazoleboranetetrafluoride (BmimBF₄), as catalysts. The aza-Michael products have been targeted as truncated ritonavir analogues for investigation as potential HIV -1 protease inhibitors, and representative compounds have been subjected to enzyme inhibition assays to explore the extent and type of inhibition. Lineweaver-Burk and Dixon plots have indicated competitive inhibition in one case as well as non-competitive inhibition in another, and the inhibition constants (Ki) have been compared with that of the ritonavir. Computer modelling studies have also been conducted on selected chromonecontaining derivatives, using the ACCELRYS Cerius² platform. Interactive docking of the chromone-containing ligands into the HIV -1 protease receptor site, using the Ligandfit module, has indicated the importance of hydrogen-bonding interactions mediated by bridging water molecules situated in the receptor cavity. NMR spectroscopy has been used to elucidate complex and competing mechanistic pathways involved in the Baylis-Hillman reactions of selected 2-nitrobenzaldehydes with MVK in the presence of DABCO - reactions which afford the normal BaylisHillman product, the MVK dimer and syn- and anti-Baylis-Hillman type diadducts. The kinetic data confirm the concomitant operation of two pathways and reveal that, in the initial stage of the reaction, the product distribution is kinetically controlled, whereas in the latter stage, thermodynamic control results in the consumption of the normal Baylis-Hillman product and predominance of the anti-diadduct.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Molefe, Duduzile Mabel
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Protease Inhibitors , HIV infections , HIV (Viruses) , AIDS (Disease) , Proteolytic enzymes , Heterocyclic compounds -- Derivatives , Chemical kinetics , Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4526 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015542
- Description: A series of chromone-3-carbaldehydes have been prepared using Vilsmeier-Haack methodology while a corresponding series of chromone-2-carbaldeydes have been synthesized via the Kostanecki-Robinson reaction. Baylis-Hillman reactions have been conducted on both series of chromone carbaldehydes using three different catalysts, viz., 1,4-diazabicyclo(2.2.2]octane (DABCO), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec- 7-ene (DBU) and 3-hydroxyquinuclidine (3HQ), and acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate and methyl vinyl ketone as the activated alkenes. These reactions have typically (but not always!) afforded both normal Baylis-Hillman and dimeric products. Attention has also been given to the use of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidine (1-NMP), an ionic liquid, to replace normal organic solvents, and it has been found that, in the presence of DABCO, chromone-3-carbaldehydes afford the dimeric products alone. Reactions of chromone-3-carbaldehydes with methyl vinyl ketone have yielded unexpected, novel adducts, which appear to arise from preferential attack at C(2) in the chromone nucleus. Research on chromone-2-carbaldeydes under Baylis-Hillman conditions has also resulted in the formation of some interesting products instead of the expected Baylis-Hillman adducts. The Baylis-Hillman products have been explored as substrates for aza-Michael reactions using various amino derivatives including protected amino acids in the presence of the tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) and the ionic liquid, 3-butyl-1- methylimidazoleboranetetrafluoride (BmimBF₄), as catalysts. The aza-Michael products have been targeted as truncated ritonavir analogues for investigation as potential HIV -1 protease inhibitors, and representative compounds have been subjected to enzyme inhibition assays to explore the extent and type of inhibition. Lineweaver-Burk and Dixon plots have indicated competitive inhibition in one case as well as non-competitive inhibition in another, and the inhibition constants (Ki) have been compared with that of the ritonavir. Computer modelling studies have also been conducted on selected chromonecontaining derivatives, using the ACCELRYS Cerius² platform. Interactive docking of the chromone-containing ligands into the HIV -1 protease receptor site, using the Ligandfit module, has indicated the importance of hydrogen-bonding interactions mediated by bridging water molecules situated in the receptor cavity. NMR spectroscopy has been used to elucidate complex and competing mechanistic pathways involved in the Baylis-Hillman reactions of selected 2-nitrobenzaldehydes with MVK in the presence of DABCO - reactions which afford the normal BaylisHillman product, the MVK dimer and syn- and anti-Baylis-Hillman type diadducts. The kinetic data confirm the concomitant operation of two pathways and reveal that, in the initial stage of the reaction, the product distribution is kinetically controlled, whereas in the latter stage, thermodynamic control results in the consumption of the normal Baylis-Hillman product and predominance of the anti-diadduct.
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The changing knowledge and expectations of public health nurses in a HIV/AIDS training programme for managers
- Authors: Harry, Karuna
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: HIV infections , HIV infections -- Nursing , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2986 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002495 , HIV infections , HIV infections -- Nursing , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of
- Description: This research project examined the changing expectations and knowledge of Managers in the Department of Health who attended the Sexual Health Counselling Project offered by Rhodes University, East London, South Africa. These managers came from contexts in which the hierarchical medical model is firmly entrenched. The Sexual Health Counselling Project, drawing on theoretical principles from Narrative and other theories,presented a challenge to the standard management practices used by the managers. It also challenged how they dealt with clients. This research explored changes in expectations and knowledge prior to and during a two- week training course that the managers attended. A personal awareness and shift in knowledge occurred for many managers who examined their current practices. Some managers, who were firmly entrenched in the hierarchical model,found it difficult to change their ways of working.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Harry, Karuna
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: HIV infections , HIV infections -- Nursing , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2986 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002495 , HIV infections , HIV infections -- Nursing , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of
- Description: This research project examined the changing expectations and knowledge of Managers in the Department of Health who attended the Sexual Health Counselling Project offered by Rhodes University, East London, South Africa. These managers came from contexts in which the hierarchical medical model is firmly entrenched. The Sexual Health Counselling Project, drawing on theoretical principles from Narrative and other theories,presented a challenge to the standard management practices used by the managers. It also challenged how they dealt with clients. This research explored changes in expectations and knowledge prior to and during a two- week training course that the managers attended. A personal awareness and shift in knowledge occurred for many managers who examined their current practices. Some managers, who were firmly entrenched in the hierarchical model,found it difficult to change their ways of working.
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HIV and metaphor: an imaginative response to illness
- Authors: Cardo, Julia Claire
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: HIV infections , Metaphor -- Psychological aspects , Imagery (Psychology) -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2945 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002454 , HIV infections , Metaphor -- Psychological aspects , Imagery (Psychology) -- Therapeutic use
- Description: The medical model has been criticised for its failure to attend to individuals' experience of illness and the meaning they attribute to illness. HIV / AIDS has challenged its adequacy and brought the question of meaning in illness into sharp focus. This study aimed to understand what it means to live with HIV by exploring the fantasies, images and metaphors that make up the depth of such an experience. Phenomenology was deemed the appropriate approach, as it assigns epistemological significance to metaphor and ontological primacy to the lifeworld. An interview guide was fashioned from existing phenomenological literature and in-depth interviews were conducted with eight HIV -infected individuals. Five protocols were selected to constitute the study. In addition, an audio tape recording of one individual's metaphorical dialogue with HIV was obtained and transcribed. The three protocols with the richest content of imagery and metaphor were subjected to phenomenological explication. The remaining two protocols were used to support and clarify emergent meaning. A phenomenological explication of the data revealed a number of salient metaphors and themes. Upon being diagnosed with HIV, individuals were confronted with a socially and institutionally prescribed understanding of the disease; HIV as synonymous with AIDS and immediate death, HIV as sexual deviance, and HIV as myth. These metaphors influenced their conceptualisation and handling of HIV. Individual embodied metaphors included: embodying a heart of stone to live with HIV and perceiving HIV as a punishment from God, a demon from the Devil, a death sentence and a torture. Affectively, the experience of HIV was constituted as fear of physical disfigurement and exposure, anxiety, vulnerability, anger, betrayal, injustice and isolation. In a process of resolution and transformation, individuals imbibed positive metaphors with which to continue living with HIV. In order to cope with HIV, individuals seemed to negotiate a metaphorical space in which to dwell with their virus. This entailed establishing some form of dialogue with HIV or a Higher Power. This study revealed that metaphorical thinking about HIV /AIDS has a powerful impact on individuals' embodiment of their world. Metaphor is also an effective means Clf conveying and eliciting meaning in the experience of illness. Based upon these findings, it was suggested that metaphor be a prime focus for future research endeavours.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cardo, Julia Claire
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: HIV infections , Metaphor -- Psychological aspects , Imagery (Psychology) -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2945 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002454 , HIV infections , Metaphor -- Psychological aspects , Imagery (Psychology) -- Therapeutic use
- Description: The medical model has been criticised for its failure to attend to individuals' experience of illness and the meaning they attribute to illness. HIV / AIDS has challenged its adequacy and brought the question of meaning in illness into sharp focus. This study aimed to understand what it means to live with HIV by exploring the fantasies, images and metaphors that make up the depth of such an experience. Phenomenology was deemed the appropriate approach, as it assigns epistemological significance to metaphor and ontological primacy to the lifeworld. An interview guide was fashioned from existing phenomenological literature and in-depth interviews were conducted with eight HIV -infected individuals. Five protocols were selected to constitute the study. In addition, an audio tape recording of one individual's metaphorical dialogue with HIV was obtained and transcribed. The three protocols with the richest content of imagery and metaphor were subjected to phenomenological explication. The remaining two protocols were used to support and clarify emergent meaning. A phenomenological explication of the data revealed a number of salient metaphors and themes. Upon being diagnosed with HIV, individuals were confronted with a socially and institutionally prescribed understanding of the disease; HIV as synonymous with AIDS and immediate death, HIV as sexual deviance, and HIV as myth. These metaphors influenced their conceptualisation and handling of HIV. Individual embodied metaphors included: embodying a heart of stone to live with HIV and perceiving HIV as a punishment from God, a demon from the Devil, a death sentence and a torture. Affectively, the experience of HIV was constituted as fear of physical disfigurement and exposure, anxiety, vulnerability, anger, betrayal, injustice and isolation. In a process of resolution and transformation, individuals imbibed positive metaphors with which to continue living with HIV. In order to cope with HIV, individuals seemed to negotiate a metaphorical space in which to dwell with their virus. This entailed establishing some form of dialogue with HIV or a Higher Power. This study revealed that metaphorical thinking about HIV /AIDS has a powerful impact on individuals' embodiment of their world. Metaphor is also an effective means Clf conveying and eliciting meaning in the experience of illness. Based upon these findings, it was suggested that metaphor be a prime focus for future research endeavours.
- Full Text:
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