HIV

Question 1

What is the term used to describe the condition/illness experienced in the first few weeks of HIV infection?

Answer 1

HIV seroconversion illness

Question 2

In which scenario is HIV viral load testing preferred over HIV antibody testing?

Answer 2

In neonates, as they may contain maternal HIV antibodies.

In the HIV seroconversion period.

Question 3

What is a cause of pneumonia that must be ruled out in those with low CD4 count?

Answer 3

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia

Question 4

Which medication is the first line treatment of Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia?

Answer 4

Co-trimoxazole

Question 5

What are the 2 common AIDs-defining conditions?

Answer 5

Pneumocystis jiroveci and Kaposi Sarcoma

Question 6

PCP may not always show on a CXR. What other tests can be done to increase suspicion of PCP?

Answer 6

Testing for a decrease in Oxygen saturations when exercising.
In PCP, there will be a decrease in O2 sats/ exertional hypoxia.

Question 7

What are the classes of Anti-retroviral medications?

Answer 7

1. Fusion inhibitors: Maraviroc and Enfuvirtide
2. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase inhibitors: Zidovudine (AZT)
3. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
4. Protease inhibitors
5. Integrase inhibitors

Question 8

Which antimotility drug is the drug of choice for anti-diarrhoeal medication?

Answer 8

Loperamide

Question 9

Which anti-emetic medication is the drug of choice for adults who have severe vomiting?

Answer 9

Metoclopramide 10MG IM

Question 10

What is dysentry?

Answer 10

Dysentry is a type of gastroenteritis that results in diarrhoea with blood

Question 11

What is amoebic dysentry treated with?

Answer 11

Metronidazole and Paromomycin or Iodoquinol

Question 12

What medication is given for those with infected with Salmonella, Shigella or Campylobacter?

Answer 12

Ciprofloxacin

Question 13

What is AZT? Describe its mechanism of action.

Answer 13

Zidovudine.

Zidovudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

Question 14

What are the contraindications of AZT?

Answer 14

Anaemia, Neutropenia and breastfeeding

Question 15

What is HAART? Give an example.

Answer 15

Highly Active Anti-retroviral therapy.

Efavirenz (a NNRTI) and 2 NRTI (Lamivudine + Tenofovir)

Question 16

What is the recommended HIV testing?

Answer 16

simultaneous HIV antibodies and p24 antigen test

Question 17

What is the advantage of Point Of Care Testing?

Answer 17

Either a fingerprick or mouth swab sample can give a result within minutes.

Question 18

Give examples of Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase inhibitors

Answer 18

1. Zidovudine (AZT)
2. Didanosine (ddl)
3. Lamivudine (3TC)
4. Tenofovir
5. Abacavir

Question 19

Give examples of Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Answer 19

1. Efavirenz

2. Nevirapine

Question 20

Give examples of Protease Inhibitors

Answer 20

1. Atazanavir

2. Darunavir

Question 21

Give an example of a fusion inhibitor and another example of CCR5 inhibitor

Answer 21

Fusion inhibitor: Enfuvirtide

CCR5 inhibitor: Maraviroc

Question 22

What is Cobicistat?

Answer 22

Cobicistat is a drug that helps Atazanavir and Darunavir (both Protease inhibitors) to work better.

Question 23

What is the most common cause of cerebral abscess in patients with HIV? (Think of an opportunistic infection)
What are 2 other common causes of brain abscess formation in HIV patients?

Answer 23

Neurotoxoplasmosis also known as Cerebral Toxoplasmosis

Others include Aspergillosis and Cryptococcus Neoformans

Question 24

What is the cause of Neurotoxoplasmosis?

Answer 24

Parasite Toxoplasma gondii infection/invasion into the brain.

Question 25

What are the 2 differential diagnosis of ring-enhancing lesions seen on CT or MRI scans with radiocontrast, in patients with HIV or AIDS?

Answer 25

CNS lymphoma or CNS Toxoplasmosis

Question 26

What is the CXR image of patient with PCP?

Answer 26

Ground-glass appearance