AIDS/HIV is a multi system disorder caused by human immuno deficiency virus.In this article we are discussing clinical features & diagnosis
CLINICAL FEATURES OF AIDS/HIV
- 1. Wasting syndrome
- 2. lymphadenopathy in various lymph nodes
- 3. Gastro intestinal lesions and various symptoms
- 4. Pulmonary lesions and symptoms
- 5. Mucocutaneous lesions and various symptoms
- 6. Haematologic lesions and various symptoms
- 7. CNS lesions and various symptoms
- 8. Gynaecologic lesions and various symptoms
- 9. Renal lesions and various symptoms
- 10. Hepatobiliary lesions and various symptoms
- 11. Cardiovascular lesions and various symptoms
- 12. Ophthalmic lesions and various symptoms
- 13. Musculoskeletal lesions and various symptoms
- 14. Endocrine lesions and various symptoms
DIAGNOSIS OF HIV/AIDS
The investigations of a suspected case of HIV/AIDS are considered in 3 groups
1. Tests for identify HIV infection. These include antibody tests and direct detection of HIV.
i) Antibody tests
These tests are:a) ELISAb) Western blot
ii) Direct detection of HIV
a) p24 antigen capture assay.
b) HIV RNA assay methods by reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR, branched DNA, nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NucliSens).
c) DNA-PCR by amplification of proviral DNA.
d) Culture of HIV from blood monocytes and CD4+ T cells.
2. Tests for defects in immunity
These tests are used for diagnosis as well as for monitoring treatment of cases.
i) CD4+ T cell counts. Progressive fall in number of CD4+ T cells is of paramount importance in diagnosis and staging as CDC categories as described above.
ii) Rise in CD8+ T cells.
iii) Reversal of CD4+ to CD8+ T cell ratio.
iv) Lymphopenia.
v) Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia.
vi) Increased b-2 microglobulin levels.
vii) Platelet count revealing thrombocytopenia.
3.Tests for detection of opportunistic infections and secondary tumours
Diagnosis of organs involved in opportunistic infection and specific tumours secondary to HIV/AIDS is made by aspiration or biopsy methods as for the corresponding primary disease.
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