Posted: January 29th, 2023
What was the cause of this patient’s iron-deficiency anemia
Copyright © 2018 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Pagana: Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 6th Edition AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) Case Studies The patient, a 30-year-old homosexual man, complained of unexplained weight loss, chronic diarrhea, and respiratory congestion during the past 6 months. Physical examination revealed right-sided pneumonitis. The following studies were performed: Studies Results Complete blood cell count (CBC), p. 156
Hemoglobin (Hgb), p. 251 12 g/dL (normal: 14–18 g/dL) Hematocrit (Hct), p. 248 36% (normal: 42%–52%)
Chest x-ray, p. 956 Right-sided consolidation affecting the posterior lower lung
Bronchoscopy, p. 526 No tumor seen Lung biopsy, p. 688 Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) Stool culture, p. 797 Cryptosporidium muris Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) serology, p. 265
p24 antigen Positive Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Positive
Western blot Positive Lymphocyte immunophenotyping, p. 274
Total CD4 280 (normal: 600–1500 cells/L) CD4% 18% (normal: 60%–75%) CD4/CD8 ratio 0.58 (normal: >1.0)
Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) viral load, p. 265
75,000 copies/mL
Diagnostic Analysis The detection of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) supports the diagnosis of AIDS. PCP is an opportunistic infection occurring only in immunocompromised patients and is the most common infection in persons with AIDS. The patient’s diarrhea was caused by Cryptosporidium muris, an enteric pathogen, which occurs frequently with AIDS and can be identified on a stool culture. The AIDS serology tests made the diagnoses. His viral load is significant, and his prognosis is poor. The patient was hospitalized for a short time for treatment of PCP. Several months after he was discharged, he developed Kaposi sarcoma. He developed psychoneurologic problems eventually and died 18 months after the AIDS diagnosis.
Case Studies
Copyright © 2018 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
2
Critical Thinking Questions
1. What is the relationship between levels of CD4 lymphocytes and the likelihood of clinical complications from AIDS?
2. Why does the United States Public Health Service recommend monitoring CD4 counts every 3–6 months in patients infected with HIV?
3. This is patient seems to be unaware of his diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. How would you
approach to your patient to inform about his diagnosis? 4. Is this a reportable disease in Florida? If yes. What is your responsibility as a
provider? .
SOLUTION
CD4 lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a critical role in the immune response to infections. In individuals with AIDS, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks and decreases the number of CD4 lymphocytes, making the individual more susceptible to infections and other illnesses.
The lower the number of CD4 cells, the greater the likelihood of developing clinical complications related to AIDS, including opportunistic infections and certain types of cancer.
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