Lectins are carbohydrate-binding agents (CBA).A variety of plant lectins,but also lectins from other (i.e.procaryotic) origin,were shown to be inhibitory against a variety of virus infections,including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Also,low-molecular weight-molecules (i.e.the antibiotic Pradimycin A) have been shown to specifically recognize glycans present on the HIV gp120,and to inhibit HIV infection in cell culture.Mannose-and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNac)-specific CBA were most inhibitory to HⅣ.An important property of CBA is that they inhibit HIV entry into its target cell,and not only prevent infection of T-lymphocytes and macrophages by cell-free virus particles,but also syncytium formation between persistently HIV-1-infected T-cells and uninfected cells.