HIV/AIDS - Johns Flashcards
What is HIV?
The etiologic agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
What is the first step of HIV viral replication?
HIV attaches to susceptible host cell CD4 antigen
What causes HIV symptoms to appear?
Destruction of large numbers of CD4 cells through viral replication at high rate
What is Primary HIV Syndrome?
Mononucleosis-like, cold or flu-like symptoms that may occur 6-12 weeks after infection
What is seroconversion?
The process of HIV antibody tests starting negative and becoming positive 3-6 months later
How is Primary HIV diagnosed?
Viral Load titer assay (large amount of HIV in peripheral blood)
What is the first sign of an HIV infection?
HIV-1 p24 antigen
Once the CD4 count drops below 500, what is the patient at risk for?
Opportunistic Infections
What diseases are predictive of the progression to AIDS?
Shingles (HZV)
Oral Candidiasis
Oral Hairy Leukoplakia (EBV)
Kaposi’s Sarcoma (Blood vessel cancer)
When is a patient considered to have AIDS?
CD4 count drops below 200
Once the CD4 count drops below 200, what infections is the patient at risk for?
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)
Cryptococcal meningitis
Toxoplasmosis
Once the CD4 count drops below 50, what infections is the patient at risk for?
Mycobacterium avium Cytomegalovirus infections Lymphoma Dementia Death
What are the first antibodies detected in HIV infections?
Antibodies against gag proteins p24 and p55
- followed by antibodies against p51, p120, gp41
What was the first serlogical test developed to detect HIV infection and what are it’s advantages?
ELISA testing
- Easy to perform
- Easily adapted to batch testing
- Highly sensitive
What is the ELISA test useful for?
Screening Blood Products
Diagnosing and Monitoring Patients
Determining Prevalence of Infection
Research Investigations
