Clinical aspects of AIDS

Question 1

What is the pathogenesis of AIDS?

Answer 1

The HIV virus enters the body and infects activated CD4+ lymphocytes. Viral replication leads to cell death and the death rate exceeds the maximal regeneration capacity. If the number of CD4+ cells falls below the threshold (200/mm3) there will be opportunistic infections and tumors.

Question 2

When will opportunistic infections take place?

Answer 2

When the immune system is compromised, e.g. treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, congenital immune deficiencies, and hematological malignancy.

Question 3

What are the immune disturbances in HIV-infection?

Answer 3

Less CD4+ T-cells, less Cytoxic responses, lower T-cell antigen repertoire, less proliferative response to mitogens and recall-antigens, less skin-allergy to recall-antigens, more immunoglobulins, and more circulating cytokines.

Question 4

What is the relation between tuberculosis in HIV infection?

Answer 4

The chance of infection with the tuberculosis virus is equal, but the chance of TBC disease is much larger in HIV infection.

Question 5

What are the exposure routes of HIV infection?

Answer 5

Blood transfusion, childbirth, needle-sharing drugs, sex (most to least respectively).

Question 6

What are the problems with antiretroviral treatment?

Answer 6

That eradication of HIV is not possible, there is always a chance of resistance and there are many side effects.