Question

An article reported that patients under care for HIV have CD4⁺ tests every three months. What is the purpose of CD4⁺ tests for patients with HIV?

1) To monitor the progression of the disease
2) To determine the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy
3) To assess the immune system function
4) To diagnose HIV infection

Answer 1

CD4+ tests are critical for monitoring the progression of HIV, evaluating the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, and assessing the immune system function in patients. It is not used to diagnose HIV, which requires specific tests like the fourth-generation antibody-antigen test or a nucleic acid test.option

Step-by-step explanation:

The CD4+ test serves several purposes for patients with HIV. Primarily, it is used to:

1. Monitor the progression of the disease by tracking the decline in CD4+ T cells, which are essential for a functioning immune system.
2. Determine the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) by observing whether the CD4+ T cell count stabilizes or increases with treatment, which indicates successful management of the virus.
3. Assess the overall function of the immune system to predict the patient's vulnerability to opportunistic infections. If the CD4+ T cell count falls below 500 cells/μL, the patient may be at increased risk for such infections.

Moreover, during various stages of HIV, such as acute HIV infection, clinical latency, and AIDS, the CD4+ T cell count provides essential insights into the severity of the disease and the urgent need for intervention.