⚪ Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii.

⚪ This pathogen is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, particularly the Dermacentor species.

⚪ RMSF presents with fever, headache, and a spotted rash that typically begins on the wrists and ankles.

⚪ The infection can become severe and result in multi-organ damage if not treated early with doxycycline.

✨ A naked virus lacks a lipid envelope, which many other viruses possess for protection and entry into host cells.

✨ Instead, it consists only of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein capsid.

✨ The capsid is made of subunits called capsomeres, which protect the viral genome from degradation.

✨ Because naked viruses are without envelopes, they tend to be more resistant to environmental stress, such as drying or detergents.

🔷 Kaposi’s sarcoma is a vascular cancer caused by human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8).

🔷 It is frequently seen in AIDS patients, whose immune systems are severely weakened by HIV.

🔷 The cancer manifests as red, purple, or brown lesions on the skin, mucous membranes, or internal organs.

🔷 It develops because HIV-related immunosuppression allows HHV-8 to proliferate unchecked.

⩥ Indirect ELISA detects antibodies in a patient’s serum, which is why it is commonly used for screening HIV, hepatitis, and rickettsial infections.

⩥ In this method, the patient’s antibodies bind to an antigen-coated surface, and then an enzyme-linked secondary antibody is used for detection.

⩥ Direct ELISA, on the other hand, detects antigens from the pathogen itself in patient samples.

⩥ This is particularly useful for diseases like measles or hantavirus, where the virus or antigen is directly identified.

✔ HIV infects immune cells

⚪ HIV targets CD4+ T helper lymphocytes, which are crucial for coordinating immune defense.

⚪ The virus also infects monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, further weakening the immune system.

⚪ Destruction of these cells leads to progressive immunodeficiency, a hallmark of AIDS.

⚪ This explains why patients with AIDS are vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers.

✔ Neonates can be infected through nursing

⚪ HIV transmission can occur through breast milk, even if the infant was not infected during pregnancy or delivery.

⚪ This is considered a form of postnatal vertical transmission.

⚪ In regions where breastfeeding is essential for infant nutrition, this risk is particularly significant.

⚪ Preventive strategies include maternal ART or safe feeding alternatives.

✔ ART is effective treatment

⚪ Antiretroviral therapy (ART) combines multiple drugs to inhibit different stages of the HIV replication cycle.

⚪ ART has been shown to suppress viral loads, reduce disease progression, and restore immune function.

⚪ Using multiple agents reduces the chance of drug resistance developing.

⚪ ART has transformed HIV from a fatal infection into a manageable chronic condition.