HIV AND TB - topic 6

Question 1

Explain how HIV invades t helper cells

Answer 1

• gp120 glycoproteins on the surface of HIV
• bind to CD4 receptors on the t helper cell
• viral envelope fuses with t cell membrane
• viral RNA enters cell

Question 2

explain why the symptoms of HIV occur when t cells are destroyed

Answer 2

• less cytokine production
• decreased activation of B cells
• decreased antibody production
• increased risk of opportunist infections such as TB