HIV 3 Flashcards
What is “the window” for seroconversion in HIV?
6-12 weeks
What is diagnosis based on?
Antibody presence to multiple HIV antigens such as gp120, gp41, gp 24
What is used in combination with serology?
WB test
What constitutes undetectable levels of viral RNA?
50 copies per ml
Increase in RNA levels indicates what?
Progression of disease
Strongest indicator of disease progression?
CD4 counts
Pattern of lymph nodes after chronic infection?
“Burned out with loss of lymphoid elements
HIV infection of CNS will show inflammatory infiltrate with what?
Microglial nodules and multinucleated giant cells
What forms Karposi’s sarcoma?
Proliferating mesenchymal spindle cells that form blood vessels
Why is serology not helpful in later stages of AIDs?
Patient cannot mount antibody response
Why is it common that patients show atypical symptoms when they have an infection?
Immune system is messed up
What symptoms at time of transmission?
Fever, malaise, and rash
Which repeated infections typically present?
Pneumocystis carinii, Mycobacterium avium, and cytomegalovirus
What can occur if patients suffer from HIV infection of microglial cells?
CNS dementia
What opportunistic viral infections are at risk for reinfection?
CMV, Herpes, Zoster