330 likes | 344 Views
Natural Course of HIV Infection. HAIVN Harvard Medical School AIDS Initiative in Vietnam. Learning Objectives. By the end of this session, participants should be able to: Describe the natural progression of HIV infection Explain the factors that influence the progression of HIV infection.
E N D
Natural Course of HIV Infection HAIVN Harvard Medical School AIDS Initiative in Vietnam
Learning Objectives By the end of this session, participants should be able to: • Describe the natural progression of HIV infection • Explain the factors that influence the progression of HIV infection
Overview of Virology • Viruses are classified as either DNA or RNA viruses • The building blocks of viral genes are nucleotides • RNA and DNA are made of nucleotides, which code for the production of proteins • These proteins are the components of the virus (envelope, antigens, enzymes etc)
Overview of HIV Virology • HIV is an RNA virus consisting of 9200 nucleotides • HIV is a “retrovirus”, meaning: • replication occurs from RNA to DNA using the enzyme Reverse Transcriptase • DNA created is then integrated into the host cell genome (T lymphocyte) • further HIV virus (RNA and proteins) are then produced using this DNA complex
Definitions (1): CD4 Cell • CD4 cell is one type of T-Lymphocyte • HIV binds with receptors on the CD4 cell to enter and infect the cell • After infection, the number of CD4 cells gradually declines over time • The number of CD4 cells in the body, or the CD4 cell count, indicates extent of HIV-induced immune damage
Definitions (2): Viral Load • The viral load is the amount of HIV in the blood • The level of HIV in the blood indicates the magnitude of HIV replication and rate of destruction of CD4 cells • The viral load test measures the amount of HIV RNA in the plasma
Definitions (3): HIV Testing • HIV antibody test identifies antibodies to the HIV virus in the blood • It takes 1-3 months following HIV infection for the antibodies to be detected on a standard HIV antibody test
5 1 6 4 2 Reverse tran-scriptase HIV RNA 7 3
1000 Asymptomatic 900 Relative level of Plasma HIV-RNA 800 CD4+ T cells 700 TB CD4+ cell Count Acute HIV infection syndrome 600 500 HZV 400 OHL 300 OC 200 PPE PCP 100 TB CMV, MAC 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Months Years After HIV Infection Natural Progression of HIV Disease
Variable Progression of HIV infection Long term non-progression CD4 500 Typical Progression OI OI 200 Rapid progression Death Death 5yrs 10yrs 15yrs
Natural Progression of HIV Infection HIV progresses through various stages which include: • Primary HIV Infection • Latent Period • Symptomatic HIV Infection • AIDS (advanced HIV Infection)
Primary HIV Infection (1) • Occurs 2-4 weeks after acquiring HIV infection • Symptoms last 1-2 weeks and most commonly include: • Fever • Myalgia/arthralgia • Pharyngitis • Adenopathy • Rash
Primary HIV Infection (2) • Seroconversion usually occurs within 4 –12 weeks, so HIV antibody tests are usually NEGATIVE in this period • If primary HIV infection is suspected and HIV test is negative, repeat test after 1 and 3 months • HIV Viral Load testing can diagnose acute HIV infection
Primary HIV Infection (3) • A generalized rash is a common finding: • 5-10 mm macular or papular erythematous lesions • appears 48-72 hours after fever starts • lasts for 5 – 8 days • most often involves the face and trunk • typically not pruritic
Primary HIV Infection: Treatment • Treatment is supportive • Treat fever with paracetamol • Treat pain with NSAIDS or opiates • Maintain adequate hydration • Counsel patient on preventing transmission to others • Viral load at this stage is very high ARV medications are not indicated for acute HIV infection
Latent Period • Also known as asymptomatic HIV disease • Characterized by gradual decline in CD4 count • Patients may be healthy for 5-10 years before symptoms develop • Symptoms can develop when CD4 < 500 cells/mm3 • OIs develop when CD4 < 200 cells/mm3
Symptomatic HIV Infection • Generally occurs when CD4 < 500 • Conditions that may be seen when CD4 count is 200 – 500include: • Generalized lymphadenopathy • Fatigue • Prolonged fevers or diarrhea for > 1 month • Oral or vaginal candidiasis • Bacterial pneumonia • Pulmonary tuberculosis • Herpes zoster (Zona) • Malignancy (Cervical cancer, lymphoma)
Manifestations of HIV Infection Vary Greatly • Some patients with CD4 > 200 can be ill with many symptoms • Some patients with low CD4 < 100 can feel healthy with no symptoms at all • All patients have decreased immune function and are at risk for OIs when: • WHO Clinical Stage 3 or 4, • CD4 < 200 • TLC < 1200
AIDS (Advanced HIV Infection) Final stage in the natural progression of HIV Infection Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of HIV/AIDS. Ministry of Health, 2009.
What Factors Affect the Rate of Disease Progression? • Speeds disease progression: • Age • Symptoms during primary HIV • Nutritional status • Opportunistic infections (eg: TB) • High viral load • Intravenous drug use? • Slows disease progression: • OI Prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole • Antiretroviral Therapy
Laboratory Testing in HIV Patients Two common tests used to evaluate and follow HIV patients are: • CD4 cell count • Total Lymphocyte Count (TLC)
CD4 Count (1) • Normal CD4 count in adults is 500-1500 • In children < 5 years old, CD4 count is higher and more variable • Therefore, % CD4 cells is used to follow HIV disease in children
CD4 Count (2) • Best test to measure effect of HIV on immune system • Correlates with risk for developing OIs and risk of death • Can be used to make treatment decisions, e.g.: • When to start prophylactic medications or ARV treatment • Which OIs are most likely when patient has acute symptoms
Total Lymphocyte Count (TLC) (1) • If CD4 testing is not available, TLC and WHO Clinical Staging can be used to: • Estimate level of immunosuppression • Decide when to treat with prophylactic medications and ARV • TLC < 1200 indicates CD4 may be low • Patients considered immune suppressed, need cotrimoxazole prophylaxis when WHO stage 2, 3 or 4
Total Lymphocyte Count (TLC) (2) The Total Lymphocyte Count is easy to calculate from the results of a CBC: TLC = WBC x % Lymphocytes Example: Hb 12.0 65% Neutro Hct 38% 25% Lympho WBC 4,800 9% Mono Plt 165,000 1% Eos What is the TLC?
Key Points • On average, it takes 5-10 years from time of initial HIV infection to become ill or have symptoms • CD4 count is best way to estimate degree of immune suppression • If CD4 testing is not available, TLC and WHO Clinical Staging can be used to evaluate immune system status
Thank you! Questions?