AIDS (Acquired

Immunodeficiency
Syndrome)
AIDS is caused by HIV ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus ) ,
which is a retrovirus having single stranded r-RNA , which
converts RNA to DNA by reverse transcriptase enzyme.

HIV
Size – 1/10000th of a milimeter in diameter
It is a protein capsule containing 2 single stranded RNA and enzymes
Core protein – P18 & P24
Double membrane layer – GP 41 ( glycoprotein 1st layer ) & GP 120 ( glycoprotein 2nd
layer – outer most )
AIDS was first reported in 1981 in USA among homosexuals .
In India it was first detected in the year 1986 .
It infects the immune system, acquired during the life time of an individual
indicating that it is not a congenital disease.
Syndrome symbolises a group of symptoms .
In the last 27 years or so , it has spread all over the world killing more than 25
million persons .
Once a person is infected , virus remains life long
It can be transmitted even if the person is symptom less
Source of infection :
Virus has been found in greatest concentration in blood,
semen and CSF .
Lower concentration have been detected in tears , saliva ,
breast milk , urine and vaginal secretion .
Transmission from male to male and male to female is
more potent than from female to male .
Routes of Transmission:
Sexual Transmission
Transmission via blood and blood products
Perinatal Transmission
Occupational Transmission
Transmission by other body fluids
Pathogenesis of HIV infection
HIV

CD4
cells

Uncoating and reverse

transcription

Viral replication,
HIV Provirus attacks on host cell ,
Viral dissemination
Phases of HIV infection

Phase I
Acute HIV Syndrome
1. 3-12 weeks
2. High levels of viraemia
3. Marked reduction of CD4+ T cells
4. Rise in CD8+ T cells
5. Sore throat , Fever , Myalgia , Skin rash , Meningitis
Phase II
Middle Chronic Phase
1 . Viraemia
2 . Moderate fall in CD4+ Tcells
3 . Higher CD8+ Tcells count
4 . Latent phase – symptoms may / may not be present
Phase III
Final crisis phase
1 . Viraemia infection increased
2 . Reduction of CD4+ Tcells (<200 per micro litre)
3 . Survival period – 2 years maximum
4 . Immuno – suppression
Clinical features :
Weight loss > 10% body weight
Chronic diarrhoea > 1 month
Lymphadenopathy
Anorexia
GIT manifestation
Diagnosis :
Direct tests –
1 . ELISA ( Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent serologic assay )
2 . Western blotting
3 . PCR
Indirect tests –
1 . CD4 count
2 . Lymphopenia
3 . Lymph node biopsy
Prevention :
Should not indulge with multiple sexual partners
Use of condom
Needles and Syringes should not be shared
Distribution of IEC materials
Advertisement of knowledge about it by different media
Strict sterilization techniques should be applied to the
hospitals and clinics
Donors should be screened for HIV before blood transfusion