Opportunistic Infections

Question 1

What is adalimumab

Answer 1

Humira is the trade name, it is an anti TNF

Question 2

What are the categories of Immune deficiencies that you have to go through when prescribing anti inflammatory drugs or immuno suppressive drugs such as adalimumab

Answer 2

1. T cell deficiency - like AIDS
2. B cell deficiency - agammaglobulinemia
3. Combined B and T cell deficiency - SCIDs
4. Complement system defect
5. Defect in the effectiveness of phagocytes - Chediak Higashi syndrome

Question 3

Those people who have C3 deficiency, what kind of diseases are they susceptible to

Answer 3

Steptococcal infections like pneumonia

Question 4

Question 5

What kind of therapy is there for those patient that have a suppressed immune system

Answer 5

HAART: Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy

Question 6

What kind of infections can you get with low CD4 count

Answer 6

1. 500 - no infections, normal
2. 200 to 500, increased risk of certain infections such as shingles, thrush, skin infections, lung infections, TB, diarheal infections like cryptosporadium that you can get from your dog
3. Below 200, increased risk of Penumocystic pneumonia, chemoprophylaxis is given to prevent this
4. Below 100, preventive treatment should begin like for toxoplasmosis, cryptococcus meningitis
5. Below 50, increased risk to cytomegalovirus and MAI