HIV

Question 1

What is HIV?

Answer 1

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a lentivirus in the Retroviridae family that causes AIDS by infecting and destroying immune system cells.

Question 2

What are the major structural genes of HIV?

Answer 2

GAG (codes for structural proteins like p24), POL (codes for enzymes like reverse transcriptase), ENV (codes for envelope proteins like gp120 and gp41).

Question 3

What are the key enzymes of HIV?

Answer 3

Reverse transcriptase, protease, and integrase.

Question 4

What are the phases of HIV infection?

Answer 4

Viral transmission, primary infection, seroconversion, clinical latency, early symptomatic infection, AIDS.

Question 5

What is the global prevalence of HIV?

Answer 5

As of 2015, 36.7 million people were living with HIV, with 76% in sub-Saharan Africa.

Question 6

What is the main route of HIV transmission in Nigeria?

Answer 6

Heterosexual contact, accounting for 37% of new infections.

Question 7

What is the window period for HIV testing?

Answer 7

The period after infection when antibodies are not yet detectable, ranging from 3-12 weeks depending on the test generation.

Question 8

What are the main modes of HIV transmission?

Answer 8

Unprotected sex, exposure to infected blood, contaminated needles, and mother-to-child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

Question 9

What cells does HIV target?

Answer 9

CD4+ T-cells and cells with CCR5 or CXCR4 chemokine receptors.

Question 10

What is the primary function of reverse transcriptase in HIV?

Answer 10

Converts viral RNA into DNA, enabling integration into the host genome.

Question 11

What are the stages of HIV’s life cycle?

Answer 11

Entry, reverse transcription, integration, protein synthesis, maturation.

Question 12

What is the significance of gp120 and gp41 in HIV?

Answer 12

Gp120 binds to CD4 receptors; gp41 facilitates fusion with the host cell membrane.

Question 13

What are AIDS-defining illnesses?

Answer 13

Infections and malignancies strongly associated with immunocompromised states, such as Kaposi sarcoma and Pneumocystis pneumonia.

Question 14

What are the types of HIV?

Answer 14

HIV-1 (most common worldwide) and HIV-2 (prevalent in West Africa).

Question 15

What are the diagnostic tests for HIV?

Answer 15

Antibody detection (ELISA, Western blot), antigen detection (p24), viral nucleic acid (PCR), and disease monitoring (CD4 count, viral load).

Question 16

What is the 4th-generation ELISA test?

Answer 16

A test combining p24 antigen detection and antibody detection, reducing the window period to 2 weeks.

Question 17

What is the gold standard for HIV diagnosis?

Answer 17

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), detecting viral nucleic acids.

Question 18

What is HAART?

Answer 18

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, a regimen to suppress HIV replication and prevent AIDS.

Question 19

What are entry inhibitors?

Answer 19

Drugs preventing HIV entry into cells, e.g., enfuvirtide (blocks gp41) and maraviroc (blocks CCR5).

Question 20

What are protease inhibitors?

Answer 20

Drugs blocking HIV protease, preventing maturation of new viral particles.

Question 21

What are the primary prevention methods for HIV?

Answer 21

Safe sex practices, blood screening, use of sterile needles, and antiretroviral therapy for prevention (e.g., PrEP, PEP).

Question 22

What is the significance of p24 antigen in HIV?

Answer 22

An early marker for HIV infection detectable within 2 weeks of exposure.

Question 23

What is the main difference between 3rd and 5th-generation ELISA tests?

Answer 23

5th-generation ELISA differentiates HIV-1 antibodies, HIV-2 antibodies, and p24 antigen with separate results.

Question 24

What is the importance of CD4 count in HIV management?

Answer 24

CD4 count helps monitor disease progression and determine the risk of opportunistic infections.

Question 25

What is the role of integrase inhibitors?

Answer 25

Drugs blocking the integration of viral DNA into the host genome, e.g., raltegravir.

Question 26

What is the primary cause of rising HIV rates among MSM in Nigeria?

Answer 26

Prevalence increased from 13.5% in 2007 to 22.9% in 2014 due to stigma and lack of targeted interventions.