Human Immunodeficiency Virus & Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to HIV and AIDS, focusing on virology, pathology, and management.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

A virus that attacks the immune system and can lead to AIDS.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

A chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by HIV, characterized by a progressive loss of the immune system.

CD4 molecule

A protein on the surface of T cells and macrophages that HIV binds to for infection.

Tropism

The specific type of cells or tissues that a virus infects.

Dendritic cells

Antigen-presenting cells that play a role in HIV infection during sexual transmission.

R5 Strains

HIV-1 strains that use CCR5 co-receptor and show tropism for macrophages and immature dendritic cells.

X4 Strains

HIV-1 strains that utilize the CXCR4 co-receptor and exhibit tropism for mature CD4+ T cells.

Asymptomatic period

A phase of HIV-1 infection with few clinical signs, may last for years.

Antigenic modulation

The ability of HIV-1 to change its surface antigens to evade the immune response.

Opportunistic infections

Infections that occur more frequently and are more severe in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Protease inhibitors

A class of antiviral drugs that prevent viral replication by inhibiting protease enzymes.

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)

Drugs that inhibit reverse transcriptase, preventing viral replication.

Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART)

A treatment regimen that combines multiple antiretroviral drugs to effectively suppress HIV.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

A preventive treatment for individuals at high risk of HIV infection that reduces the risk of contracting the virus.

Kaposi's Sarcoma

A cancer that appears as lesions on the skin and is often associated with advanced HIV infection.

CD4+ T cells

A type of immune cell that is targeted and destroyed by HIV, crucial for the immune response.

Reverse Transcriptase

An enzyme used by HIV to convert its RNA into DNA during replication.

Integrase

An enzyme that integrates viral DNA into the host's genome, crucial for HIV replication.

Viremia

The presence of viruses in the bloodstream.

Lymphadenopathy

Swelling of the lymph nodes, commonly associated with infection.