Using the figure shown below, briefly explain the relationship between levels of HIV viral RNA, levels of CD4+ T cells, and health of the infected human. The graph illustrates the progression of HIV infection over time, highlighting changes in CD4+ T-cell count and HIV RNA levels. Here's a detailed breakdown:**Axes and Units:**- The x-axis represents time after infection, labeled in weeks for the initial period and then in years.- The left y-axis indicates CD4+ T-cell count (cells/µl).- The right y-axis shows HIV RNA levels (copies/ml plasma).**Phases and Events:**1. **Primary Infection:** - Occurs immediately as CD4+ T-cells drop sharply. - Coincides with a peak in HIV RNA, indicating Acute HIV Infection.2. **Acute HIV Infection:** - Following infection, there's a sharp rise in viral RNA levels. - The immune response leads to a temporary recovery in CD4+ T-cell counts.3. **Clinical Latency:** - Lasts from about 3 weeks to several years after infection. - CD4+ T-cell counts stabilize but gradually decline. - HIV RNA remains at a relatively low level but gradually increases.4. **Onset of Symptoms:** - Around 8-10 years, symptoms begin to appear as CD4+ T-cell counts fall significantly. - HIV RNA levels start to rise sharply.5. **AIDS:** - Marked by critically low CD4+ T-cell count and high HIV RNA levels. - Characterized by opportunistic infections. - Eventually leads to death if untreated.The background colors highlight different stages: a light blue during clinical latency and a reddish-orange during the onset of AIDS, emphasizing the increase in health risks associated with the disease's progression.

Answered: Using the figure shown below, briefly…

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)

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Using the figure shown below, briefly explain the relationship between levels of HIV viral RNA, levels of CD4+ T cells, and health of the infected human.

The graph illustrates the progression of HIV infection over time, highlighting changes in CD4+ T-cell count and HIV RNA levels. Here's a detailed breakdown:

**Axes and Units:**
- The x-axis represents time after infection, labeled in weeks for the initial period and then in years.
- The left y-axis indicates CD4+ T-cell count (cells/µl).
- The right y-axis shows HIV RNA levels (copies/ml plasma).

**Phases and Events:**
1. **Primary Infection:**
- Occurs immediately as CD4+ T-cells drop sharply.
- Coincides with a peak in HIV RNA, indicating Acute HIV Infection.

2. **Acute HIV Infection:**
- Following infection, there's a sharp rise in viral RNA levels.
- The immune response leads to a temporary recovery in CD4+ T-cell counts.

3. **Clinical Latency:**
- Lasts from about 3 weeks to several years after infection.
- CD4+ T-cell counts stabilize but gradually decline.
- HIV RNA remains at a relatively low level but gradually increases.

4. **Onset of Symptoms:**
- Around 8-10 years, symptoms begin to appear as CD4+ T-cell counts fall significantly.
- HIV RNA levels start to rise sharply.

5. **AIDS:**
- Marked by critically low CD4+ T-cell count and high HIV RNA levels.
- Characterized by opportunistic infections.
- Eventually leads to death if untreated.

The background colors highlight different stages: a light blue during clinical latency and a reddish-orange during the onset of AIDS, emphasizing the increase in health risks associated with the disease's progression.

Expert Solution

Step 1

HIV infects vital cells in the human immune system, such as helper T cells specifically CD4+ T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells.

The infection leads to low levels of CD4+ T cells count through a number of mechanisms, that includes pyroptosis of abortively infected T cells, apoptosis of uninfected bystander cells, the direct viral killing of infected cells, and killing of infected CD4+ T cells by CD8+ that recognize infected cells.

Cell-mediated immunity is lost when CD4+ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections, leading to the development of AIDS.

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