EXAM #2: HIV I Flashcards
List four reasons that HIV is very challenging to treat and manage?
1) High genetic mutation rate
2) Evades cellular and humoral immunity
3) Evades traditional vaccine strategies
4) “Hides” in resting memory CD4+ T-cells
What is the definition of AIDS?
1) CD4+ T-cell count less than 200 OR
2) AIDS defining illness
What is the importance of the “viral load set point?”
High viral load set-point= progress to AIDS quickly
Low viral load set-point= slow progression to AIDS
What virus causes Kaposi Sarcoma?
HHV-8
At what CD4+ T-cell count to HIV+ patients get Kaposi Sarcoma?
400
At what CD4+ T-cell count to HIV+ patients get toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis?
100
At what CD4+ T-cell count to HIV+ patients get MAC?
50
What is the difference between a single pneumococcal pneumonia diagnosis vs. recurrent pyogenic bacterial pneumonia?
Recurrent= AIDS defining Single= NOT defining, but should include HIV as part of differential
What is the current trend of HIV infections in the US?
- No real change in incidence year-to-year
- More people are living longer with HIV
What group has the highest risk of new HIV diagnosis?
Male-to-male (MSM)
*Note that in this group the incidence of HIV infection is INCREASING
What is the trend of HIV diagnoses in African Americans?
Account for roughly 1/2 of all diagnoses
*Minorities are “disproportionately affected”
What percent of the population is HIV+ but doesn’t know it?
Roughly 20%
*Note that they account for roughly half of the new HIV infections
What % of CD4+ T-cells is associated with AIDS?
AIDS= CD4+ T-cell % less than 14
What is acute retroviral syndrome?
Initial viral illness after infection with HIV
*Commonly a prolonged flu/mono like illness
What symptoms can be associated with acute retroviral syndrome aside from flu/mono sx?
- Pharyngitis, rash* or headache
- Aseptic meningitis
- Oral/ genital ulcers
*This can differentiate from EBV
