Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 reproductive organs formed during heterosexual intercourse. The virus is known as a retrovirus and it combines the spike glycoproteins with the CD4 receptor sites of T-lymphocytes of the infected person, reversing the transcriptase and synthesizing the DNA molecules with the help of RNA. Later on, the DNA molecules enter a state of lysogeny, encoding the new particles of HIV. This exerts pressure on the defense system of the human body, and the counts of T-lymphocyte cells reduce drastically from 800 to about a few hundred or even tens. The duration of this decrease ranges between six months to 12 years after the spread of infection in the human body. Early symptoms of this disease are swollen lymph nodes, prolonged fever, malaise, and diarrhea. The initial stage of this disease is known as HIV, while the last stage is known as AIDS, wherein the affected person suffers from opportunistic infections like candidiasis, very low count of T-lymphocyte cells, wasting syndrome, and destruction of mental senses. Major opportunistic injections at the later stages of AIDS can take the forms of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, Cryptosporidium diarrhea, encephalitis (due to Toxoplasma gondii), severe eye infection and blindness (due to cytomegalovirus), candidiasis of the mucous membranes and esophagus (due to Candida albicans), meningitis (due to Cryptococcus neoformans), herpes simplex, tuberculosis, or cancer of the skin, known as Kaposi's sarcoma. These infections are curable using prescribed drugs, but the cycle of these infections never end and the AIDS patient constantly fights from one infection to the next until the will power of the patient breaks. Iatrogenic Immune Deficiency Iatrogenic immune deficiency is caused by the suppression of the immune system of the body by the use of medicines, such that the body becomes vulnerable to infections. Hence, it is vital that the physician, as well as the patient, weigh the benefits of therapeutic treatment against the immunosuppression function of therapeutic drugs. Some drugs and treatments that lead to iatrogenic immune deficiency are Corticosteroids, which are generally prescribed for anti-inflammation and suppression of immunity, and Cytotoxic drugs, like azathioprine and cyclophosphamide for anti- tumor and immunosuppressive capabilities. Anti-lymphocyte antibodies and Ionizing radiation, like X- rays and gamma rays, lead to infection as well. Auto-Immunity Disease Autoimmune diseases are disorders of the immune system in which the system of the body attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs of the body. The immune system generally works by producing antibodies, which help combat and destroy harmful antigens contained in bacteria, virus, toxins, and other harmful exogenous factors. When a person suffers from an autoimmune disorder, the immune system becomes incapable of distinguishing between the healthy cells and tissues of the body and the harmful antigens, which leads to a series of reactions in the body where normal, healthy tissues are destroyed. Tests to diagnose these disorders include antinuclear antibody tests, autoantibody tests, CBC, comprehensive metabolic panel tests, C-reactive protein tests, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and urinalysis. Achieve Page 32