Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Updated: 08/12/2025

© Jun Wang, MD, PhD

 

General features

  • Definition: CD4+ T cell<200/mcl OR presence of AIDS-defining conditions
  • Advanced HIV infection: CD4+ T cell<50/mcl
  • Usually occurs years after HIV infection 
  • Results of CD4+ T cell depletion
  • Conditions seen in chronic phase can be more severe
  • Poor prognosis associated with late diagnosis or lack of ART

AIDS-defined conditions

  • More frequent and severe opportunistic illnesses
  • Results of immunosuppression
  • Basis of presumptive clinical diagnosis for WHO stages 3 and 4
  • Include opportunistic infections, certain malignancies, and conditions likely associated with uncontrolled HIV infection, such as wasting and encephalopathy

Opportunistic infections

 

 

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Contents

Pathology notes Jun Wang, MD, PhD 1. General information Frequently discussed syndromes Terms of dermatology Terms of hematology 2. Immunodeficiency disorders HIV infection   Primary immunodeficiency disorders 3. Hemodynamic abnormalities Shock Thrombosis and embolism Bleeding disorders Blood transfusion 4.  Benign blood cell disorders Anemia Benign white cell disorders 5. Hematopoietic neoplasms Lymphoid neoplasms Myeloid neoplasms Histiocytic neoplasms: Langerhans cell histiocytosis 6. Cardiovascular system Pulmonary hypertension Cardiovascular system tumors 7. Respiratory tract tumors 8. Gastrointestinal tract Congenital disorders Infectious gastroenteritis Oral cavity Esophagus Stomach Intestinal tumors Salivary glands Exocrine pancreas and gallbladder 9. Urinary system Kidney masses Lower urinary tract 10. Male reproductive system 11. Female genital tract 12. Breast 13. Endocrine organs Pituitary gland Ad...
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Anemia

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Bleeding disorders

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Bleeding disorders   Updated: 07/25/2025 © Jun Wang, MD, PhD Hemostasis Primary: Vasoconstriction, platelet activation Secondary: Coagulation cascades Results: Blood clot formation Activation of platelets Coagulation system Intrinsic pathway: XII, XI, IX, VIII (8-12 except 10) Extrinsic pathway: VII Common pathway: X, V, prothrombin (II), fibrinogen (I) (4 smallest US dollar bills) Etiology of bleeding disorders Vascular dysfunction, including vitamin C deficiency, telangiectasia, allergic purpura, purpura associated with infections such as meningococcus and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, etc Platelet disorders Thrombocytopenia Thrombocytosis Platelet dysfunctions associated with uremia, MDS , medications (NSAIDs etc) Bernard-Soulier syndrome, etc  Coagulopathy Von Willebrand disease Hemophilia A Hemophilia B Acquired hemophilia Liver disease associated coagulopathy Vitamin K deficiency, including warfarin associated coagulopathy Other anticoagulan...
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