Viral load in HIV and hepatitis C: indicators

One of the terrible diseases of our time is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Unfortunately, every year the number of people infected increases. It was previously believed that HIV is common among drug addicts and homosexuals. Currently, the disease occurs in people from different backgrounds. Including among newborn children. The final stage of pathology is the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In order not to bring the disease to a serious degree, it is necessary to constantly monitor patients and adjust the treatment. To this end, an analysis is carried out, such as viral load. It allows you to evaluate the stage of the disease. In addition, this test is performed in order to determine the further treatment tactics.

What is the viral load for?

As is known, viruses consist of DNA or RNA molecules. Nucleic acids make up genetic material. Viral load is an analysis that is conducted to determine the amount of RNA of the pathogen in the blood. This study can be performed under various pathological conditions. Among them - HIV, hepatitis B and C, herpetic, cytomegalovirus infection , etc. This analysis determines not only the amount of genetic material in the blood, but also the stage of the disease. That is, the viral load is a measure of the severity of the pathology. The calculation is carried out by calculating copies of RNA in 1 ml of blood plasma. Determine the viral load is possible only in special laboratories. There are several methods for doing this research. The most common is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Due to the analysis it is possible to reveal how fast the pathological process progresses. With the help of it, the dosage of medicines is selected, and the prognosis of the disease is determined.

Determination of the immune status in HIV

Viral load in HIV helps to examine the patient's immune status. In patients, this indicator is reduced. By determining the immune status, one can judge the state of the body's defenses. This indicator includes a set of quantitative and qualitative characteristics. To determine the immune status of a person, several consecutive stages are carried out. Among them:

1. Collection of complaints and anamnesis. The frequency of the incidence of infectious pathologies (SARS, herpes, fungal lesions), reaction to vaccinations, medicinal substances is found out.
2. Determination of the number of immune cells in the blood. These include leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes.
3. Perform special laboratory tests. Among them - an analysis of the viral load.

Then the immunological stage is carried out. It includes the determination of the content of T- and B-lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, receptors of immune cells. With HIV, special emphasis is placed on the concentration in the blood of CD4. These are receptors of protective cells - T-helpers. They are affected by the virus of immunodeficiency. After all stages, the information is analyzed. Thus, the doctor makes a conclusion about the immune status.

Viral load with HIV: indicators. Norm and pathology

When HIV infection in the immune status, there are pronounced changes. The study for viral load allows you to determine whether a person is infected or not. In the norm of the genetic material of the pathogen (RNA) in the body should not be. That is, in a healthy person the number of virus particles is zero. In some cases, this indicator can be slightly increased. For example, if a person has congenital immune pathologies, severe kidney or endocrine gland diseases. Nevertheless, the viral load in HIV differs from these indicators, observed with other ailments. In the case of immunodeficiency syndrome, it will be much higher. How to determine the stage of the disease with this study? What are the viral load with HIV indicators? The norm is less than 20 thousand copies in 1 ml of blood. If the value obtained is higher, this means that it is necessary to change the treatment regimen. The viral load indicator of more than 500 thousand copies of HIV in 1 ml of blood serum indicates the advanced stage of the disease (AIDS).

Thanks to this method of research, the doctor judges how the pathology develops. With the introduction of the viral load test, scientists have proved that a disease like HIV infection does not stand still. The administration of antiretroviral (ART) therapy reduces the replication of the RNA of the pathogen. Studies such as immune status and viral load are crucial not only in the treatment, but also for the prognosis of the disease. If the number of copies of HIV in 1 ml of blood exceeds 100 thousand, then this indicates a terminal stage of pathology. The introduction of this analysis allowed to control the human immunodeficiency virus. It is carried out not only by the sick, but also by children born from infected mothers, and also to healthy people with suspected infection.

Viral load: the norm for hepatitis C

Another common and dangerous pathology is hepatitis C. This disease is called a "slow killer", as it affects the body for many years. For a long time, hepatitis C does not appear. Therefore, people often do not even suspect that they are infected with this terrible virus. The causative agent enters the body parenterally, that is, through the blood. In most cases, this occurs during medical manipulations (dental, gynecological, cosmetic procedures). Also, pathology occurs in people who inject drugs.

Viral load in hepatitis C is indicated to all patients. As in the case of HIV infection, it helps to determine the amount of genetic material of the pathogen in the blood. Normally, copies of the virus should be absent. Conducting the test in patients can reveal how much a person is dangerous to others, and evaluate the results of treatment. If a pathology is detected at an early stage, recovery is possible. To verify the effectiveness of therapy, a viral load is performed. A similar study is conducted when identifying antigens to HCV.

Interpretation of viral load analysis for hepatitis C

Viral load in hepatitis C is measured in IU / ml. The low content of pathogens in the body indicates the adequacy of treatment and a good prognosis. The indicator will be in the range from 600 to 3 * 10 ⁴ units in 1 ml of blood serum. If it exceeds this value, then the treatment regimen should be changed. With an increase in copies of RNA up to 8 * 10 ⁴ IU / ml, the result is estimated as an average viremia. In the case when this indicator is higher, a diagnosis of "severe hepatitis C" is made. In this case, there is a lesion of internal organs, manifested clinically. This stage of the disease is terminal.

How often is it necessary to carry out a viral load test?

A viral load test is performed when antibodies to the hepatitis C or HIV virus are detected. In addition, the analysis is performed by all patients on dispensary records with these pathologies. The timing of the viral load depends on the patient's condition. The analysis is performed once a year with the stabilization of well-being. If the patient takes antiviral drugs, then the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment should be carried out every 3 months. Also, the analysis is performed when the general condition of the patient worsens.

Methods of testing for viral load

Viral load is carried out in 3 ways. The PCR method is most often performed. It allows you to identify antibodies to the virus. Branched DNA is also used. This test is less sensitive. It is carried out as a screening, as well as to confirm the diagnosis (but not for correction of treatment). Another accurate and accessible way to identify the RNA of the pathogen is the method of transcriptional amplification.

Errors in carrying out viral load

Despite the fact that all methods of determining the viral load are effective enough, the wrong result is possible. Errors in the analysis are observed with improper blood collection, contamination, and violation of storage conditions. A false negative result can be in the first months after infection with the virus. Therefore, if the infection is suspected, the study should be repeated in six months.

Where it is possible to pass the analysis on definition of a virus load?

The study for viral load is carried out in special laboratories, where there is the necessary equipment. The PCRs are equipped with AIDS centers, as well as some private diagnostic centers.