Explain why a patient with AIDS due to HIV is at an increased risk of infection and of developing certain cancers.

Video transcript

Hi, everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem together. A I DS patients are immunocompromised and prone to opportunistic infections because HIV targets which cells. The answer options are A CD eight T cells, B CD four T cells. CB cells and D macrophages recall that A I DS is the abbreviation for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A I DS is the advanced stage of the human immunodeficiency virus infection or HIV. Now HIV is a virus that directly attacks the body's immune system by targeting what cells option. A the CD eight T cells recall are also known as cytotoxic T cells. These cells are a white blood cell type that can destroy pathogens. Option. CB cells recall our cells that can differentiate into plasma cells for antibody production. And then D macrophages recall are also a white blood cell type that engulf and digest pathogens. Now options. AC and D are not the cell type that are targeted by HIV. Remember that CD four cells are also known as T helper cells and recall that T helper cells activate two different cell types. The first is to activate B cells and the second is by activating cytotoxic T cells. So, if HIV is targeting the CD four T helper cells, it is not only impairing antibody production, but it also reduces the activity of the cytotoxic T cells. So it's attacking both humoral and cell mediated immunity. And thus, it makes A I DS patients immunocompromised and prone to opportunistic infections. So the correct answer is option B CD four T cells. All right, everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.