Sketchy Micro: Retrovirus - HIV/AIDS Flashcards
How does the genetic material of HIV get expressed?
It is positive-sense RNA that must get written into DNA first.
(Remember the positive-sense sun in the background and the orange hues.)
What covering does HIV have?
It is enveloped (represented by the evil wizard’s long robe).
How many pieces of RNA are in each virion?
Two (like the two dragons on the wizard’s hat)
What does the HIV gene gag do?
It makes p24, a capsule for the RNA strands.
This is represented by the wizard’s hat which is also a sundial –get it? Sundials have 24 hours.
Env is an HIV gene that makes _____________.
envelope proteins gp 41 and 120
(There are pipes in the wizard’s envelope because if you take out the 1’s then it’s 420, and also the robe represents his envelope.)
gp 41 is a ______________, and gp 120 is _____________.
transmembrane protein; outer protein that binds to cells
(This is clever: the numbers are both on his pipe, and the 120 is the bowl –the zero, specifically –which sticks out further than the 41 on the stem.)
Which cells does HIV infect?
Macrophages and helper T cells
(The wizard is breaking out of the cage –symbolizing macrophages –and he is poisoning the squire –representing helper T cells.)
What are the initial symptoms of HIV infection?
Similar to those of mono –sore throat, fever, and lymphadenopathy.
(Think of the initial squire –the one closest to the wizard – grabbing his neck, sweating, and having fluffy frills around his belt.)
What defines AIDS?
CD4 counts less than 200 or an AIDS-defining illness such as Kaposi’s sarcoma or CMV retinitis
(Think of the squires falling into the 200 ft drop that the wizard opened up.)
What AIDS-defining illness is directly caused by HIV?
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Think of the LARGE crab that the wizard conjured up to fight the archers.
What two receptors does HIV use to enter host cells?
CCR5 and CXCR4
(Think of the nifty CCR5 and CXCR4 banners that the squires have; also, the CCR5 banner is closer to the wizard because those are more important early in infections.)
What two screening tests should you use to test for HIV?
ELISA first and then (if positive) Western blot
Think of Elisa the she-elf in front of the tapestry that looks like a Western blot.
How should you test for HIV in a neonate of an infected mother?
Use PCR to amplify DNA/RNA because the ELISA may show up positive due to maternal antibodies.
The best anti-retroviral therapy for pregnant women is _____________.
zidovudine (like the Z on the pregnant woman’s shirt)
Maraviroc is a ______________.
CCR5 inhibitor (like the MARe who’s kicking the CCR5-banner-wielding squire)
