Chap 14 - Laboratory Tests and Clinical Procedures

Measures the number of CD4 T cells (helper T cells) in the bloodstream of patients with AIDS

normal count 500 - 1500
if it drops below 250 recommended to start treatment with anti-HIV drug

Screening test to detect anti-HIV antibodies in the bloodstream

Test that separates immunoglobulins
(IgC IgM IgE IgA IgD)

used to detect multiple myeloma

Test that measure the amount of AIDS virus (HIV) in the bloodstream
two viral load tests
PCR = polymerase chain reaction
NASBA = nucleic acid sequence - based amplification

X-ray imaging in the transverse plane produces cross sectional views of anatomic structures
show abnormalities of lymphoid organs , lymph nodes, spleen and thymus gland