HIV: Structure, Replication, and Detection
Continuing Education Credits
This introductory-level course is designed to meet requirements for HIV/AIDS training, as well as provide basic information about structure and the mechanisms and proteins involved in replication. Appropriate for continuing education for all laboratory personnel. Dr. Pendergraph's extensive experience teaching in the laboratory environment ensures that you get the training you need for your safety and your requirements.
Objectives
- Explain the basic structure of HIV.
- Discuss the process by which HIV replicates.
- Discuss commonly used laboratory methods for detection of HIV infection.
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of commonly used laboratory test methods for detection of HIV infection.
Course Outline
- Structure of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- HIV Introduction and Structure
- The Genome
- The Capsid
- The Envelope
- Viral Proteins
- Viral proteins are identified as either glycoprotein (gp) or protein (p). What is indicated by the number that follows the "gp" or "p" designation, for example, gp120 or p24?
- Which of the following HIV-1 viral proteins are associated with the envelope?
- HIV Virus Classifications
- Mutations
- Most HIV-1 infections are classified as which one of the following groups?
- HIV Replication Cycle
- Overview
- Stages of Infection
- Binding
- Fusion
- Reverse Transcription
- Integration
- Assembly
- Budding
- HIV Replication Cycle Infographic
- Which of the following cells are primary targets of the HIV virus?
- What is the protein that coats the genome in the core of the HIV-1 virion?
- True or False: The enzyme found in the core of the HIV virion that is utilized to convert viral RNA into DNA is called reverse transcriptase.
- Progression of HIV Infection
- Theories on Host Cell Destruction
- Stages of HIV Infection
- Which stage of HIV infection is characterized by a decline in the CD4 T lymphocyte count to less than 200 cells/µL?
- Laboratory Diagnosis of HIV
- Overview
- Types of Assays
- Antigen/Antibody Tests
- Antibody Tests
- Rapid Tests
- Western Blot
- Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT)
- Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR)
- HIV Detection Methods: Comparison Table
- CDC Recommended Algorithm for HIV Testing
- Interpreting Results
- Which of the following HIV tests would be the best choice to detect HIV infection in a high-risk seronegative individual?
- The CDC recommends that initial screening tests be performed on which of the following kinds of assays?
- References
- References
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists and technicians and other health care personnel who have an interest in this subject matter. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB) received his MSPH from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, his PhD in medical parasitology and mycology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and his law degree with a concentration in health care law from Concord Law School, Purdue University. He also did a Fellowship in Tropical Medicine at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He is the author of a textbook in phlebotomy, a number of scientific articles, plus internet training programs. He is licensed as a laboratory director in Georgia and Florida.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: Judi Bennett, BSM, MLS(AMT), MLT(ASCP), is an Education Developer with MediaLab by Vastian, bringing over 30 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist. Before joining MediaLab in 2010, she held key leadership roles, including Clinical Laboratory Manager, Microbiology Supervisor, and Senior Systems Analyst at Gwinnett Health System in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Her extensive knowledge of laboratory operations and a strong commitment to health care quality and education fuel her passion for developing engaging and effective learning tools for the next generation of laboratorians.