Deck 24: Laboratory Diagnosis of HIV Infection

Question 1

Which of the following is considered the best indicator of immune function in HIV-infected individuals?

A) HIV-1 viral load
B) Presence of HIV-2 antibodies
C) CD4 T-cell count
D) Absolute lymphocyte count

Answer 1

CD4 T-cell count

Question 2

CD4 T cells play a central role in the immune response system by regulating the activities of B and T lymphocytes.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Which antigen can be routinely detected in the blood of a person who has recently been infected with HIV?

A) p14
B) p19
C) p23
D) p24

Answer 3

p24

Question 4

The RT-PCR is a highly sensitive method that involves:

A) direct amplification of HIV RNA.
B) amplification of a label attached to HIV RNA.
C) amplification of a complementary DNA sequence to a portion of the HIV RNA.
D) DNA sequencing of a portion of HIV RNA.

Question 5

Match the HIV protein product to its function.
gp41

A) Component of reverse transcriptase enzyme
B) Transmembrane protein
C) Envelope protein that binds to CD4 on T cells
D) Core coat for nucleic acids

Question 6

In the Western blot test for HIV antibody,a positive test result is indicated by the bands p24 and p55.

Question 7

Of the designated subtypes of HIV,which is the most common in the United States?

A) Subtype B
B) Subtype C
C) Subtype A
D) Subtype K

Question 8

Match the HIV protein product to its function.
gp120

A) Component of reverse transcriptase enzyme
B) Transmembrane protein
C) Envelope protein that binds to CD4 on T cells
D) Core coat for nucleic acids

Question 9

Match the HIV protein product to its function.
p24

A) Component of reverse transcriptase enzyme
B) Transmembrane protein
C) Envelope protein that binds to CD4 on T cells
D) Core coat for nucleic acids

Question 10

Which HIV group is responsible for a majority of the HIV infections worldwide?

A) Group M
B) Group O
C) Group N
D) Group P

Question 11

The Southern blot test is the specific confirmatory test for HIV infection.

Question 12

Histoplasmosis (disseminated or extrapulmonary)is an opportunistic infection of stage 3 HIV infection.

Question 13

The most commonly used HIV drug-resistance assays are based on:

A) culture of HIV in the presence of antiretroviral drugs.
B) detection of genetic mutations in HIV.
C) ability of HIV antibodies to react with drug-resistant viral strains.
D) typing for the HLA-B27 allele.

Question 14

Which of the following genes is responsible for the coding of reverse transcriptase?

A) env
B) pol
C) gag
D) tat

Question 15

Match the HIV protein product to its function.
p66

A) Component of reverse transcriptase enzyme
B) Transmembrane protein
C) Envelope protein that binds to CD4 on T cells
D) Core coat for nucleic acids

Question 16

Which of the following peripheral blood measurements is used to determine the stage of HIV infection?

A) The number of CD4 T cells
B) The number of CD8 T cells
C) The number of HIV RNA copies
D) The HIV antibody titer

Question 17

When HIV replicates,the DNA in the viral genome is transcribed into RNA.