HIV is a virus that infects and destroys T-helper cells. These cells coordinate T-cell and B-cell activity in the body. HIV/AIDS patients have increased chances of developing a wide range of microbial infections. This outcome is possible since the destroyed cells are unable to fight microorganisms. The body immunity reduces significantly (Arias-Colmenero et al., 2020). The body’s inability to fight microbes increases the chances of developing opportunistic pathogens. The body’s CD4 count will reduce significantly, thereby exposing the body to more infections. Some common opportunistic diseases include cryptococcal meningitis, PCP (pneumocystis) pneumonia, and esophageal candidiasis.
Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal disease that affects persons with weakened immunities. PCP is also a fungal disease that is usually found in persons with HIV/AIDS. Esophageal candidiasis is studied as an opportunistic disease caused by Candida albicans. It infects individuals whose immunities are weakened or going through therapy (Fajardo-Ortiz et al., 2017). HIV is identified as a retrovirus that has a single-stranded RNA. It uses enzyme reverse transcriptase to replicate DNA. The virus will use the created copy to infect identified host cells. This spherical virus will use its glycol-proteins to connect with CD4 receptors on T-cells.
References
Fajardo-Ortiz, D., Lopez-Cervantes, M., Duran, L., Dumontier, M., Lara, M., Ochoa, H., & Castano, V. M. (2017). The emergence and evolution of the research fronts in HIV/AIDS research. PLoS ONE, 12(5), e0178293. Web.
Nandi, A., & Shet, A. (2019). Why vaccines matter: Understanding the broader health, economic, and child development benefits of routine vaccination. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 16(8), 1900-1904.