Explain why HIV is classified as a retrovirus. Correct Answer Contains reverse transcriptase enzyme that converts RNA to DNA within the host cell, then
... [Show More] back to RNA.
Discuss the impact of HIV upon the immune system in regard to T-helper cells (T4, CD4). Correct Answer Leads to low levels of CD4 cells because they are primary target cells for the virus. Destroys through apoptosis or infected bystander cells which lead to direct killing of these cells by the immune system.
Differentiate HIV and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Correct Answer AIDS is the final stage of the disease cause by infection with HIV. When a CD4 count gets to be less than 200 cells per micro liter. HIV is a virus, AIDS develops because of that virus.
Define highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and its role in treatment of HIV infections. Correct Answer HAART is an antiretroviral regimen capable of suppressing HIV replication to undetectable levels and sustaining this suppression for many months to years in a significant number of people; normally consists of 3 different drugs (a protease inhibitor and 2 nucleoside analogues)
The time period of antibody response within the patient to gp41 Correct Answer 3-8 weeks
The time period of antibody response within the patient to gp120/160 Correct Answer 3-8 weeks
The time period of antibody response within the patient to p24 Correct Answer as early as 10 days
3rd generation Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for HIV (principle, diagnostic use, diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, and positive predictive value) Correct Answer detects HIV antibodies but doesn't differentiate. Sensitivity and specificity = 99%. Turnaround time 1-2 days. If positive, EIA test is repeated in duplicate on the same specimen, if 2 of 3 screen tests are positive, confirmatory testing is automatically performed. Antibodies don't show up for 3-8 weeks so this test wouldn't be positive until then.
4th generation assay for HIV (principle, diagnostic use, diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, and positive predictive value) Correct Answer detects HIV antibodies but doesn't differentiate; detects p24 antigen of HIV; Sensitivity and specificity 99%
5th generation assay for HIV (principle, diagnostic use, diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, and positive predictive value) Correct Answer 100% sensitive and 99.7% [Show Less]