HIV cure research US Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Practice US Medical PG questions for HIV cure research. These multiple choice questions (MCQs) cover important concepts and help you prepare for your exams.
HIV cure research US Medical PG Question 1: A 49-year-old homeless man comes to the emergency department because of fatigue, cough, and worsening shortness of breath for 2 weeks. He was diagnosed with HIV-infection 25 years ago but has never had any symptoms. He has always refused to take antiretroviral medication. Pulmonary examination shows diffuse crackles over bilateral lower lung fields. An x-ray of the chest shows diffuse, symmetrical interstitial infiltrates. His serum level of beta-d-glucan is elevated. Further testing shows a heterozygous mutation that prevents entry of HIV into macrophages. Which of the following proteins is most likely affected by the mutation in this patient?
- A. ICAM-1
- B. Gp120
- C. CD4
- D. P antigen
- E. CCR5 (Correct Answer)
HIV cure research Explanation: ***CCR5***
- The mutation preventing HIV entry into **macrophages** points to an issue with a coreceptor, most commonly **CCR5**, which is crucial for macrophage-tropic HIV strains.
- A **heterozygous mutation** in CCR5 (CCR5-Δ32) can confer partial resistance to HIV-1 infection, explaining why the patient has been asymptomatic for 25 years despite refusing antiretroviral therapy.
- This is a well-documented host genetic factor that slows HIV disease progression.
*ICAM-1*
- **ICAM-1 (Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1)** is involved in cell adhesion and immune cell trafficking, but not directly in HIV entry into macrophages.
- Mutations in ICAM-1 would not specifically prevent HIV entry, nor would it explain the long-term asymptomatic status in an HIV-positive individual.
*Gp120*
- **Gp120** is an HIV envelope glycoprotein that binds to the **CD4 receptor** and a coreceptor (CCR5 or CXCR4) on host cells.
- While gp120 is essential for HIV entry, it is a **viral protein**; the question asks about a mutation in a **host protein** that prevents viral entry.
*CD4*
- **CD4** is the primary receptor for HIV on T cells and macrophages, essential for viral entry.
- However, a **heterozygous CD4 mutation** would not provide meaningful protection against HIV, as one functional copy would be sufficient for viral entry.
- In contrast, heterozygous **CCR5-Δ32** mutation provides documented partial resistance, making CCR5 the better answer given this patient's 25-year asymptomatic course.
*P antigen*
- **P antigen** typically refers to a red blood cell antigen and is not involved in HIV entry into macrophages.
- There is no known direct association between P antigen and HIV susceptibility or disease progression.
HIV cure research US Medical PG Question 2: A 27-year-old man presents with a 2-week history of fever, malaise, and occasional diarrhea. On physical examination, the physician notes enlarged inguinal lymph nodes. An HIV screening test is positive. Laboratory studies show a CD4+ count of 650/mm3. This patient is most likely currently in which of the following stages of HIV infection?
- A. Chronic HIV infection
- B. Asymptomatic HIV infection
- C. AIDS
- D. Acute HIV infection (Correct Answer)
- E. Clinical latency stage
HIV cure research Explanation: ***Acute HIV infection***
- The symptoms (fever, malaise, diarrhea, enlarged lymph nodes) and the timeframe (2 weeks) are classic for **acute retroviral syndrome**, which occurs 2-4 weeks after initial HIV infection.
- A positive HIV screening test with a relatively high **CD4+ count** (650/mm³) is typical during this initial phase before significant immune deterioration.
- Also known as **primary HIV infection**, this stage represents the body's initial immune response to the virus.
*Chronic HIV infection*
- This stage is typically characterized by a **longer duration** (years) with often **asymptomatic periods** or mild, non-specific symptoms, and a gradually declining CD4+ count.
- While enlarged lymph nodes can persist, the acute onset of fever and malaise with only 2 weeks of symptoms points away from this more stable, quiescent phase.
*Asymptomatic HIV infection*
- This phrase is often used interchangeably with the **clinical latency stage** of chronic HIV infection, where the patient has no symptoms related to HIV despite ongoing viral replication.
- The presence of fever, malaise, diarrhea, and lymphadenopathy described in the case clearly indicates a **symptomatic phase**, not an asymptomatic one.
*AIDS*
- **AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)** is defined by a CD4+ T cell count below 200 cells/mm³ or the presence of an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection or malignancy.
- The patient's CD4+ count of 650/mm³ is well above the threshold for AIDS diagnosis.
*Clinical latency stage*
- This stage, also called **chronic asymptomatic HIV infection**, typically lasts 8-10 years without treatment and is characterized by minimal or no symptoms.
- Patients in clinical latency have **declining but not yet critically low CD4+ counts** and generally feel well.
- The acute presentation with fever, malaise, and the **2-week timeframe** clearly indicates a much earlier stage of infection.
HIV cure research US Medical PG Question 3: A 49-year-old woman presents to her primary care doctor in late December with malaise. She reports worsening fatigue, myalgias, headache, and malaise that started 1 day ago. She works as a lunch lady at an elementary school. Her past medical history is notable for a distal radius fracture after a fall 2 years ago, but she is otherwise healthy and takes no medications. She does not smoke or drink alcohol. She is married and has 3 adult children who are healthy. Her temperature is 102.9°F (39.4°C), blood pressure is 101/61 mmHg, pulse is 112/min, and respirations are 21/min. On exam, she appears lethargic and uncomfortable but is able to answer questions appropriately. Breath sounds are normal bilaterally. She is started on intravenous fluids and a pharmacologic agent for treatment. Which of the following is the most likely mechanism of action of the drug being used to treat this patient?
- A. Neuraminidase inhibitor (Correct Answer)
- B. Reverse transcriptase inhibitor
- C. RNA-dependent polymerase inhibitor
- D. DNA polymerase inhibitor
- E. Protease inhibitor
HIV cure research Explanation: ***Neuraminidase inhibitor***
- The patient's symptoms (malaise, fatigue, myalgias, headache, fever) with rapid onset in **late December**, especially given her exposure to children in an elementary school, are highly suggestive of **influenza**.
- **Neuraminidase inhibitors** (e.g., oseltamivir, zanamivir) are the primary antiviral treatment for influenza, preventing the release of new viral particles from infected cells.
*Reverse transcriptase inhibitor*
- **Reverse transcriptase inhibitors** are primarily used in the treatment of **HIV infection**, which typically presents with a different constellation of symptoms and has a chronic rather than acute course.
- This class of drugs targets the enzyme **reverse transcriptase**, which is not central to the influenza virus replication cycle.
*RNA-dependent polymerase inhibitor*
- While **baloxavir marboxil** (an RNA polymerase inhibitor) is FDA-approved for influenza treatment, **neuraminidase inhibitors** remain the most commonly used first-line agents.
- In this clinical scenario without specific contraindications to neuraminidase inhibitors, oseltamivir or zanamivir would be the most likely agents prescribed.
*DNA polymerase inhibitor*
- **DNA polymerase inhibitors** are primarily used to treat **DNA viral infections** such as herpes viruses (e.g., acyclovir for HSV/VZV) or cytomegalovirus (e.g., ganciclovir).
- Influenza is an **RNA virus** and therefore does not have a DNA polymerase for replication.
*Protease inhibitor*
- **Protease inhibitors** are a class of antiviral drugs predominantly used in the treatment of **HIV** and **Hepatitis C virus** infections.
- Influenza viruses do not have a protease target that is typically inhibited by these drugs for therapeutic purposes.
HIV cure research US Medical PG Question 4: A 26-year-old female medical student presents to occupational health after sustaining a needlestick injury. She reports that she was drawing blood from an HIV-positive patient when she stuck herself percutaneously while capping the needle. She immediately washed the puncture wound with betadine. The medical student has a negative HIV serology from the beginning of medical school two years ago. She is monogamous with one male partner and denies any intravenous drug use. The source patient was recently diagnosed with HIV, and has a CD4 count of 550 cells/µL. His most recent viral load is 1,800,000 copies/mL, and he was started on HAART three days ago.
Which of the following is the best next step to manage the female medical student’s exposure?
- A. Draw her repeat HIV serology and initiate three-drug antiretroviral therapy if positive
- B. Perform genotype testing on source patient and initiate antiretroviral therapy tailored to results
- C. Immediately initiate three-drug antiretroviral therapy
- D. Draw her repeat HIV serology and immediately initiate three-drug antiretroviral therapy (Correct Answer)
- E. Draw her repeat HIV serology and initiate three-drug antiretroviral therapy if negative
HIV cure research Explanation: ***Draw her repeat HIV serology and immediately initiate three-drug antiretroviral therapy***
- This approach ensures that baseline **HIV status** is established while simultaneously providing **post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)** as quickly as possible. Time is critical for PEP efficacy.
- The patient has a high-risk exposure (percutaneous injury, high viral load source) warranting immediate initiation of a **three-drug antiretroviral regimen** to prevent seroconversion.
*Draw her repeat HIV serology and initiate three-drug antiretroviral therapy if positive*
- Waiting for serology results before initiating therapy would delay PEP, significantly reducing its effectiveness in potentially preventing **HIV transmission**.
- If the student is already HIV-positive from a prior undisclosed exposure, PEP for a new exposure is not the primary concern; rather, she would need full **HIV treatment**. However, the immediate concern after an exposure is always prevention.
*Immediately initiate three-drug antiretroviral therapy*
- While immediate initiation of PEP is correct, it is still crucial to obtain a **baseline HIV serology** for the exposed individual.
- This baseline allows for clear documentation of the pre-exposure HIV status, which is vital for any future testing and counseling following the exposure.
*Draw her repeat HIV serology and initiate three-drug antiretroviral therapy if negative*
- Waiting for serology results to return before starting PEP is incorrect as this would significantly delay the initiation of therapy.
- The critical window for effective PEP is within hours of exposure, ideally within 72 hours.
*Perform genotype testing on source patient and initiate antiretroviral therapy tailored to results*
- While **genotype testing** on the source patient provides valuable information about drug resistance, it should not delay the immediate initiation of **empiric PEP** for the exposed individual.
- PEP must be started as soon as possible, and the regimen can be adjusted later if the genotype results indicate resistance to the initial drugs.
HIV cure research US Medical PG Question 5: A 29-year-old woman tests positive for HIV during pregnancy screening. She is concerned about transmission to her baby. Which of the following interventions most significantly reduces the risk of vertical transmission?
- A. Avoiding breastfeeding only
- B. Cesarean delivery only
- C. Antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and labor (Correct Answer)
- D. Maternal immunization
HIV cure research Explanation: ***Antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and labor***
- **Antiretroviral therapy (ART)** significantly reduces the **viral load** in the mother, thereby minimizing the risk of HIV transmission to the fetus during pregnancy and childbirth.
- When combined with other strategies like **cesarean section** and **avoidance of breastfeeding** in developed countries, ART can reduce vertical transmission rates to less than 1%.
*Avoiding breastfeeding only*
- While **avoiding breastfeeding** is a crucial intervention, especially in settings where safe alternatives are available, it addresses only one mode of transmission (postnatal).
- It does not prevent **in-utero** or **intrapartum transmission**, which are primary routes of vertical transmission if the viral load is high.
*Cesarean delivery only*
- **Cesarean delivery** can reduce the risk of transmission by avoiding exposure to maternal blood and secretions during vaginal delivery.
- However, it is most effective when the maternal **viral load is high** and is often combined with ART for maximum efficacy; it's less effective without ART.
*Maternal immunization*
- **Maternal immunization** involves administering vaccines to the mother to protect against specific infections, primarily bacterial or viral diseases like influenza or tetanus.
- It has **no direct impact** on the risk of HIV transmission, as there is currently no vaccine available for HIV.
HIV cure research US Medical PG Question 6: A 24-year-old male presents to the emergency room with a cough and shortness of breath for the past 3 weeks. You diagnose Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP). An assay of the patient's serum reveals the presence of viral protein p24. Which of the following viral genes codes for this protein?
- A. gag (Correct Answer)
- B. pol
- C. rev
- D. env
- E. tat
HIV cure research Explanation: ***gag***
- The **gag gene** (group-specific antigen) in HIV codes for structural proteins of the virus, including **p24**, which forms the viral capsid.
- The presence of **p24 protein** in the serum is a key marker for **HIV infection**, particularly in the early stages, as it indicates active viral replication.
*pol*
- The **pol gene** codes for essential viral enzymes such as **reverse transcriptase**, **integrase**, and **protease**, which are crucial for the HIV life cycle.
- While vital for viral replication, the **pol gene products** are enzymes involved in processing and replication, not the structural capsid protein p24.
*rev*
- The **rev gene** (regulator of expression of virion proteins) codes for the **Rev protein**, which regulates the export of HIV mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
- This regulatory protein ensures the efficient synthesis of structural and enzymatic proteins but does not directly code for the p24 capsid protein.
*env*
- The **env gene** (envelope) codes for the viral envelope glycoproteins **gp160**, which is cleaved into **gp120** and **gp41**.
- These proteins are critical for viral entry into host cells by binding to CD4 receptors and co-receptors, but they are distinct from the p24 capsid protein.
*tat*
- The **tat gene** (trans-activator of transcription) codes for the **Tat protein**, a powerful trans-activator that enhances the transcription of HIV RNA.
- Tat plays a crucial role in increasing the efficiency of viral gene expression but does not code for structural components like the p24 capsid.
HIV cure research US Medical PG Question 7: A 45-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 3-week history of progressive diarrhea and a 2.2-kg (5-lb) weight loss. During the past week, he has had six small bloody stools daily. He is employed as a sales manager and regularly flies to South America. He has HIV, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hypertension. Current medications include chlorthalidone, omeprazole, emtricitabine, tenofovir, and efavirenz. He reports taking efavirenz irregularly. He is 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) tall and weighs 64 kg (143 lb); BMI is 22 kg/m2. His temperature is 38.1°C (100.6°F), pulse is 91/min, and blood pressure is 116/69 mm Hg. The abdomen is scaphoid. Bowel sounds are normal. His CD4+ T-lymphocyte count is 44/mm3 (N ≥ 500), leukocyte count is 6,000/mm3, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate is 12 mm/h. Colonoscopy shows areas of inflammation scattered throughout the colon with friability, granularity, and shallow linear ulcerations. The intervening mucosa between areas of inflammation appears normal. A biopsy specimen is shown. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?
- A. Adverse effect of medications
- B. Cytomegalovirus (Correct Answer)
- C. Clostridioides difficile
- D. Cryptosporidium parvum
- E. Hepatitis A virus
HIV cure research Explanation: ***Cytomegalovirus***
- The biopsy shows **cytomegalovirus (CMV)** infection, characterized by **intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions** (owl's eye appearance) within endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages, indicated by the arrows.
- This patient's severely **immunocompromised status** (CD4+ count of 44/mm3) makes him highly susceptible to opportunistic infections like CMV, which commonly causes **bloody diarrhea, weight loss**, and scattered colonic inflammation with friability and shallow linear ulcerations.
*Adverse effect of medications*
- While medications can cause gastrointestinal side effects, the biopsy findings of characteristic **viral inclusions** definitively point away from a drug-induced etiology.
- Drug-related diarrhea typically does not present with the specific **histopathological features** seen, particularly the **intranuclear inclusions**.
*Clostridioides difficile*
- *C. difficile* infection typically presents with **pseudomembranous colitis**, which involves endoscopic findings of raised yellow-white plaques and characteristic pseudomembranes on histology, not the scattered inflammation and specific viral inclusions seen here.
- Although the patient is on antibiotics (emtricitabine, tenofovir, efavirenz, though anti-retrovirals are unlikely directly to cause *C. difficile* overgrowth), his CD4 count is far more suggestive of an **opportunistic infection**.
*Cryptosporidium parvum*
- *Cryptosporidium parvum* causes **watery diarrhea** in immunocompromised individuals and would show **oocysts** on stool examination or small basophilic spheres attached to the brush border of enterocytes on biopsy, not viral inclusions.
- It does not typically cause the **bloody diarrhea** or the specific ulcerations observed in this patient.
*Hepatitis A virus*
- Hepatitis A virus primarily affects the **liver**, causing acute hepatitis with symptoms like fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
- While it can cause some gastrointestinal symptoms, **bloody diarrhea** and the histological findings in the colon are not characteristic of Hepatitis A infection.
HIV cure research US Medical PG Question 8: A 52-year-old woman with HIV infection is brought to the emergency department 20 minutes after she had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. She appears lethargic and confused. Laboratory studies show a CD4+ count of 89 cells/μL (N > 500). A CT scan of the head with contrast shows multiple ring-enhancing lesions in the basal ganglia and subcortical white matter. An India ink preparation of cerebrospinal fluid is negative. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Primary CNS lymphoma
- B. HIV encephalopathy
- C. Cryptococcal encephalitis
- D. Cerebral toxoplasmosis (Correct Answer)
- E. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
HIV cure research Explanation: ***Correct: Cerebral toxoplasmosis***
- The combination of **multiple ring-enhancing lesions** in the basal ganglia and subcortical white matter, severe **immunocompromise (CD4+ count <100 cells/μL)**, and neurological symptoms like seizures in an HIV-positive patient is highly suggestive of cerebral toxoplasmosis.
- Toxoplasmosis is the **most common cause of focal brain lesions** in HIV-infected patients, particularly when the CD4+ count is severely low.
*Incorrect: Primary CNS lymphoma*
- While primary CNS lymphoma also presents with **ring-enhancing lesions** and can occur in HIV-positive patients, it typically presents as a **single lesion or periventricular lesions**, rather than multiple basal ganglia lesions.
- It would be considered if toxoplasmosis treatment failed or if there was no response to antitoxoplasma therapy.
*Incorrect: HIV encephalopathy*
- This condition presents with **diffuse cerebral atrophy** and **white matter changes** on CT, not distinct ring-enhancing lesions.
- It is characterized by **cognitive decline** and motor dysfunction, typically without focal neurological deficits like seizures at onset.
*Incorrect: Cryptococcal encephalitis*
- Cryptococcal encephalitis usually presents with **meningeal symptoms** and **diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement** or hydrocephalus on imaging, rather than discrete ring-enhancing lesions in the basal ganglia.
- A **positive India ink stain** or cryptococcal antigen in CSF would be expected, which was negative in this case.
*Incorrect: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy*
- This is caused by the **JC virus** and presents with **non-enhancing white matter lesions** that do not typically show mass effect or ring enhancement.
- It usually manifests as **subacute neurological deficits** such as hemiparesis or cognitive changes, rather than acute seizures from a mass lesion.
HIV cure research US Medical PG Question 9: An investigator studying the immunologic profile of various cells notices that the blood of a test subject agglutinates upon addition of a serum containing antibodies against P blood group antigens. Infection with which of the following pathogens would most likely be prevented by these antibodies?
- A. Babesia microti
- B. Epstein Barr virus
- C. Influenza virus
- D. Parvovirus B19 (Correct Answer)
- E. Plasmodium vivax
HIV cure research Explanation: ***Parvovirus B19***
- **Parvovirus B19** uses the **P antigen (globoside)** as its primary cellular receptor to gain entry into cells, particularly **erythroid precursors**.
- Antibodies against the P antigen would therefore block this binding and prevent infection.
*Babesia microti*
- **Babesia microti** is an intraerythrocytic parasite that causes **babesiosis**, but its entry mechanism does not involve the P antigen.
- It is transmitted by **ticks** and primarily infects **red blood cells**, causing hemolysis.
*Epstein Barr virus*
- **Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)** primarily infects **B lymphocytes** via the **CD21 receptor**.
- It is associated with infectious mononucleosis and certain malignancies, but not P antigen interaction.
*Influenza virus*
- The **influenza virus** primarily targets cells in the **respiratory tract**, binding to **sialic acid receptors** on host cells via its **hemagglutinin** protein.
- It does not utilize the P antigen for cell entry.
*Plasmodium vivax*
- **Plasmodium vivax** is a mosquito-borne parasite that causes **malaria** and primarily infects reticulocytes using the **Duffy antigen** (if present) as a receptor.
- Resistance to P. vivax is associated with the absence of the Duffy antigen, not the P antigen.
HIV cure research US Medical PG Question 10: An investigator is studying the mechanism of HIV infection in cells obtained from a human donor. The effect of a drug that impairs viral fusion and entry is being evaluated. This drug acts on a protein that is cleaved off of a larger glycosylated protein in the endoplasmic reticulum of the host cell. The protein that is affected by the drug is most likely encoded by which of the following genes?
- A. gag
- B. env (Correct Answer)
- C. tat
- D. pol
- E. rev
HIV cure research Explanation: ***env***
- The **env (envelope) gene** of HIV encodes for the precursor protein **gp160**, which is then cleaved by host cellular proteases into **gp120** and **gp41** within the endoplasmic reticulum.
- **gp120** and **gp41** together form the viral envelope glycoproteins responsible for viral binding to host cells and **fusion/entry**, making them the target of drugs that impair these processes.
*gag*
- The **gag (group-specific antigen) gene** encodes for structural proteins of the viral core, such as **p24 (capsid protein)**, p17 (matrix protein), and p7 (nucleocapsid protein).
- These proteins are primarily involved in the assembly of new virions and do not directly mediate viral fusion and entry.
*tat*
- The **tat (trans-activator of transcription) gene** encodes a regulatory protein that significantly enhances the transcription of viral genes.
- It plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle by increasing the efficiency of HIV gene expression, but it is not directly involved in viral fusion or entry.
*pol*
- The **pol (polymerase) gene** encodes for essential viral enzymes, including **reverse transcriptase**, integrase, and protease.
- These enzymes are critical for converting viral RNA into DNA, integrating viral DNA into the host genome, and cleaving viral polyproteins, respectively, but they are not involved in mediating viral entry.
*rev*
- The **rev (regulator of virion expression) gene** encodes a regulatory protein that facilitates the transport of unspliced and partially spliced viral RNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
- This transport is crucial for the synthesis of structural and enzymatic proteins and for packaging viral RNA into new virions, but it does not directly participate in viral fusion and entry.
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