II. Course: Natural History of HIV Disease
- Total duration from initial HIV Infection to AIDS
- No treatment: 8-10 years (range 1 to 20 years)
- Early Antiretroviral therapy: May approach normal Life Expectancy
- Active immune response after infection: 1-2 months
- Primary infection usually asymptomatic
- Acute Retroviral Syndrome in 30-50% (up to 80% of patients)
- Initial infection with single Genotype
- Evolves into 15-20 distinct viral variants
-
Virus gains access to CD4+ Cells via sequential binding
- CD4 receptor via sequential binding with CD4 receptor in combination with CCR5 or CXCR4 co-receptors
- Over time:
- CD4+ Cell numbers decrease
- Viral concentrations increases
III. Course: CD4 Count Related Disease progression
- Kaposi's Sarcoma, Dementia: 275 CD4+ Cells
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: 200 CD4+ Cells
- Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia: 150 CD4+ Cells
- Toxoplasmosis or Cryptooccus: 100 CD4+ Cells
- Mycobacterium Avium Complex: 50 CD4+ Cells
IV. Staging: General
- Background
- See HIV Viral Load
- HIV Viral Loads (HIV RNA PCR) predict the pace of decreasing CD4 Counts (and HIV progression)
- Stage 1: CD4 500 Cells/mm3 or more
- Stage 2: CD4 200 to 499 Cells/mm3
- Stage 3: CD4 <200 Cells/mm3 or AIDS-Defining Illness
V. Staging: Early disease (CD4 Count > 500 cells)
- Presentation
- Initial Acute Retroviral Syndrome within first 1-2 months of exposure (affects 80% of patients)
- Mononucleosis-Like Syndrome (fever, Fatigue, Lymphadenopathy, Pharyngitis)
- Associated with HIV viremia as HIV infects Lymph Nodes and Macrophages
- Symptoms resolve and patient enters a latent HIV period
- No symptoms after acute Acute Retroviral Syndrome
- May show mild Lymphadenopathy (significant Generalized Lymphadenopathy may occur)
- However, HIV continues to replicate in lymph tissue, and CD4+ Helper T Cell counts gradually fall
- Non-HIV patients normally have CD4+ Helper T Cell counts >1000 cells/uL blood
- In untreated HIV, CD4+ Helper T Cell counts fall 60 cells/uL/year
- Initial Acute Retroviral Syndrome within first 1-2 months of exposure (affects 80% of patients)
- Management
- Early Antiretroviral therapy is recommended for all stages of HIV
- Previously, asymptomatic patients in this stage received no therapy
- Course over following 18-24 months
- Risk of occult infection or death: <5%
- Slow decline in CD4 Counts (40 to 80 cells/year)
VI. Staging: Intermediate Disease (CD4 Count 200 - 500 cells)
- HIV related disorders
- Thrush
- Pronounced Vaginal Candidiasis, Onychomycosis
- Recurrent Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
- Recurrent Varicella Zoster Virus Infection
- Pruritic Folliculitis
- Recurrent Bacterial Infections
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Anogenital ulcers or warts
- Complications
- Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia
- Atypical in this stage
- Kaposi's Sarcoma
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia
- Management
- Antiretroviral therapy is continued from prior stages
- Course (Untreated) over following 18-24 months
- Risk of occult infection or death: 20-30%
- Treatment reduces risk by 2-3 fold
VII. Staging: AIDS Late Symptomatic Disease (CD4 50-200 Cells)
- Complications
- Development of Occult Infections
- Management
- Pneumocystis Jiroveci Prophylaxis (when CD4 Count <200 cells/mm3)
- Toxoplasmosis prophylaxis when CD4 Count <100 cells/mm3
- Antiretroviral therapy continues
- Course (Untreated) over following 18-24 months
- Risk of occult infection or death: 70-80%
VIII. Staging: Advanced Disease (CD4 Count < 50-100 cells)
- Complications
- Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium Complex
- Cryptococcal Meningitis
- Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Disseminated Histoplasmosis
- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
- Primary CNS Lymphoma
- AIDS Dementia
- Routine Management
- Anti-Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis
- Antiretroviral Management
- Anti-Mycobacterium Avium Complex prophylaxis
- Start at CD4 Count < 50 cells/mm3
- Screen for CMV Retinitis
- Ophthalmology exam every 6 months
- Course
- High likelihood of Occult Infection or death