Hiv Vocab

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alpha-interferon

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protein substance that the body produces in response to infection

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anergy

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loss or weakening of the body's immunity to an irritating agent or antigen

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B-cell lymphoma

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common malignancy in patients with HIV/AIDS

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candidiasis

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yeast infection of skin or mucous membrane

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CCR5

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cell surface molecule that is needed along with the CD4 molecule to fuse with the membranes of the host's immune system cells

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cytomegalovirus (CMV)

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a species-specific herpes virus that may cause retinitis in people with AIDS

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HIV-1

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retrovirus isolated and recognized as the etiologic agent of AIDS

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EIA (enzyme immunoassay)

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a blood test that can determine the presence of antibodies to HIV in the blood or saliva; also referred to as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive results must be validated, usually with Western blot test.

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HIV-2

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virus closely related to HIV-1 that has also been found to cause AIDS

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HIV encephalopathy

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degenerative neurologic condition characterized by a group of clinical presentations including loss of coordination, mood swings, loss of inhibitions, and widespread cognitive dysfunctions; formerly referred to as AIDS dementia complex (ADC)

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Kaposi's sarcoma

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malignancy that involves the epithelial layer of blood and lymphatic vessels

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macrophage

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large immune cell that devours invading pathogens and other intruders. Can harbor large quantities of HIV without being killed, acting as a reservoir of the virus.

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monocyte
.

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large white blood cell that ingests microbes or other cells and foreign particles. When a monocyte enters tissues, it develops into a macrophage

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Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)

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opportunistic infection caused by mycobacterial organisms that commonly causes a respiratory illness but can also infect other body systems

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opportunistic infection

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illness caused by various organisms, some of which usually do not cause disease in persons with normal immune systems

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p24 antigen

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blood test that measures viral core protein; accuracy of test is limited because the p24 antibody binds with the antigen and makes it undetectable

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peripheral neuropathy

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disorder characterized by sensory loss, pain, muscle weakness, and wasting of muscles in the hands or legs and feet

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Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP)

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common opportunistic lung infection caused by an organism, initially thought to be a protozoan but now believed to be a fungus based on its structure

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polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

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a sensitive laboratory technique that can detect and quantify HIV in a person's blood or lymph nodes

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primary infection

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4- to 7-week period of rapid viral replication immediately following infection; also known as acute HIV infection

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progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)

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opportunistic infection that infects brain tissue and causes damage to the brain and spinal cord

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protease inhibitor

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medication that inhibits the function of protease, an enzyme needed for HIV replication

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provirus

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viral genetic material in the form of DNA that has been integrated into the host genome. When it is dormant in human cells, HIV is in a proviral form

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retrovirus

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virus that carries genetic material in RNA instead of DNA and contains reverse transcriptase

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reverse transcriptase

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enzyme that transforms single-stranded RNA into a double-stranded DNA

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viral load test

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measures the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood

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viral set point

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amount of virus present in the blood after the initial burst of viremia and the immune response that follows

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wasting syndrome

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involuntary weight loss of 10% of baseline body weight with chronic diarrhea or chronic weakness and documented fever

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Western blot assay

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a blood test that identifies antibodies to HIV and is used to confirm the results of an EIA (ELISA) test

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window period

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time from infection with HIV until seroconversion detected on HIV antibody test