Viral Blood Borne Pathogens

Question 1

2 tests to diagnose HIV

Answer 1

Initial screening Enzyme Immuno-Assay (detect Ab to HIV virus - highly sensitive - do second one)
Confirmatory Western Blot/immunoblot (Look for abs to specific array of viral proteins)

Question 2

Western blot for HIV

Answer 2

Tests for presence of antibodies to p24, gp41, gp 120/160
Need multiple positive bands
If only one positive the result is indeterminate

Question 3

3 drugs involved in antiretroviral therapy

Answer 3

2 NRTIs (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors)
and
An integrase inhibitor, or an NNRTI (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor), or a protease inhibitor

Question 4

HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis

Answer 4

Use of dual NRTI combination on a daily basis to prevent HIV infection
For individuals at high risk for HIV infection
97-98% reduction in HIV infection

Question 5

Acute symptoms of HepC

Answer 5

Jaundice
Dark urine
Clay coloured stools
Fever
Abdominal pain

Question 6

Main result from chronic HepC infection

Answer 6

Liver cirrhosis

Can then fail, and cause ascites, variceal bleeds, encephalopathy, or cancer

Question 7

2 tests for HepC

Answer 7

HCV Ab screen (+ = ongoing or resolved infection)

HCV RNA PCR (can tell between ongoing (+) vs resolved infection)

Question 8

3 populations at risk for HepC

Answer 8

Baby boomers (1945-1965)
Persons who inject drugs or history of drug use
Immigrants from endemic countries

Question 9

Transient elastography (fibroscan)

Answer 9

Measures liver stiffness for HCV

To see how much scarring is inside your liver

Question 10

How many drugs do you need to be on for HCV?

Answer 10

2

Specific to the genotype

Question 11

What does
1. HBV surface antigen
2. HBV core antibody
3. HBV surface antibody
tell you?

Answer 11

1. Are you infected
2. Have you ever been infected
3. Are you immune