Stage of HIV, Treatment of Cancers, and Goal of Treatment

Flashcards covering stages of HIV, associated pathologies, diagnostic tests, and immune system treatments including immunotherapy, antibody therapy, synthetic interferon, and monoclonal antibodies.

What is a deficiency disorder?

A disorder that occurs when the immune response is compromised, meaning it is weakened or not functioning properly.

What is severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)?

An inherited condition in which abnormalities in the immune system cause an increased susceptibility to infection and failure to thrive as a result of infections.

When is testing for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) performed?

Testing for SCID is routinely included during infant newborn screening.

What is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?

A blood borne infection in which the virus damages or kills the T cells of the immune system, causing it to progressively fail and leaving the body at risk of developing life threatening opportunistic infections.

In what ways can HIV be acquired?

It can be perinatally acquired (transmitted from an HIV positive mother to a child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding) or behaviorally acquired (transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles).

What is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)?

The most advanced and fatal stage of an HIV infection.

What is an opportunistic infection?

An infection caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans, but is able to cause infection when the host is debilitated.

What is Kaposi's sarcoma?

An opportunistic infection frequently associated with HIV that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat, or in other organs.

What is ELISA and what is it used for?

ELISA stands for enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; it is a blood test used to screen for the presence of HIV antibodies as well as Lyme disease and other infectious conditions.

What diagnostic test is used to confirm a positive ELISA test?

An HIV differentiation assay.

What central nervous system pathologies are associated with AIDS?

Meningitis, encephalitis, or AIDS dementia.

What pathologies in the lungs and kidneys are associated with AIDS?

Pneumonia in the lungs and AIDS nephropathy in the kidney.

What skin pathologies are associated with AIDS?

Dermatitis, volu colitis, impetigo, or Kaposi sarcoma.

What gastrointestinal pathologies are associated with AIDS?

Colitis in the large intestine and malabsorption in the small intestine.

What is immunotherapy?

Also called biological therapy, it is a disease treatment that involves either stimulating or repressing the immune response.

How is immunotherapy used differently in cancer treatment versus allergy treatment?

In cancer treatment, it is used to stimulate the immune response to fight malignancy. In allergy treatment, it is used to repress the body's sensitivity to a particular allergen (allergy desensitization).

What is the purpose of antibody therapy using synthetic immunoglobulins?

Synthetic immunoglobulins (immune serum) are used as a post exposure preventative measure against viruses like rabies and hepatitis to provide temporary immunity and prevent disease development.

What conditions are treated using synthetic interferon?

Multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, and some cancers.

What are monoclonal antibodies and how are they used?

They are antibodies produced in the laboratory by identical offspring of a clone of specific cells, used to enhance the patient's immune response to certain types of cancer.