PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -HIV binds to the CD4 molecule on the surface of helper T-cells and replicates within them. This results in destruction of CD4+ T-cells and leads to a steady decline in this population of T-cells.

Detailed explanation-2: -CD4 cells (also known as CD4+ T cells) are white blood cells that fight infection. CD4 cell count is an indicator of immune function in patients living with HIV and one of the key determinants for the need of opportunistic infection (OI) prophylaxis.

Detailed explanation-3: -Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) specifically attacks Helper T cells. Without an adequate supply of Helper T cells, the immune system cannot signal B cells to produce antibodies or Cytotoxic T cells to kill infected cells.

Detailed explanation-4: -HIV primarily targets a type of cell in the immune system called the CD4+ T cell.

Detailed explanation-5: -HIV destroys CD4 cells by using their replication machinery to create new copies of the virus. This ultimately causes the CD4 cells to swell and burst. When the virus has destroyed a certain number of CD4 cells and the CD4 count drops below 200, a person will have progressed to AIDS.