Edwin Mwangi Zool 143 Assgn 6

EGERTON UNIVERSITY.
FACULTY OF ENGINERING AND

TECHNOLOGY.
DEPARTMENT: CEEN.
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING.
NAME: EDWIN MURIMI MWANGI
REG. NO: BP12/00234/22.
BIOLOGY OF HIV/AIDS AND SOCIETY.

UNIT CODE: ZOOL 143.
SUBMITTED TO: DR WALTER
ESSSENDI.
1. Identify five leading diseases responsible for AIDS related mortality in developing sub-Saharan
Africa.
The leading diseases responsible for AIDS-related mortality vary depending on the stage of HIV
infection, as well as other factors such as access to healthcare and antiretroviral therapy. However,
some of the most common diseases and conditions that can cause death in people with AIDS
include:
I) Tuberculosis (TB): This is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs but can also spread to other
parts of the body. TB is a leading cause of death among people living with HIV.
ii) Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP): This is a fungal infection that can cause severe respiratory
illness in people with weakened immune systems. It is a common opportunistic infection in people
with AIDS.
iii) Cryptococcus meningitis: This is a fungal infection that affects the brain and can cause fever,
headache, and neck stiffness. It is also a common opportunistic infection in people with AIDS.
iv) Kaposi’s sarcoma: This is a type of cancer that can cause lesions on the skin, as well as affect
other organs such as the lungs, liver, and digestive system. It is more common in people with AIDS
than in the general population.
v) Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease: This is a viral infection that can cause a range of symptoms,
including fever, fatigue, and vision loss. It is also a common opportunistic infection in people with
AIDS.
2. Justify why tuberculosis is the leading killer among AIDS patients.

There are several reasons why tuberculosis is the leading killer among AIDS patients.
i. People with HIV are more likely to develop active TB disease once they become infected with the
bacteria. This is because the immune system is unable to contain the bacteria and prevent it from
spreading throughout the body.
ii. TB can be difficult to diagnose in people with HIV/AIDS because the symptoms can be similar
to other opportunistic infections. This means that people with HIV/AIDS may not receive the
proper diagnosis and treatment for TB until the disease has advanced to a more severe stage.
iii. TB can be challenging to treat in people with HIV/AIDS because of drug interactions and the
increased risk of side effects. People with HIV/AIDS may also have a weakened response to TB
treatment, making it more difficult to cure the infection.
iv. TB is a leading cause of death among people with HIV/AIDS because it can cause severe damage
to the lungs and other organs. This can lead to respiratory failure, which is a common cause of
death among people with HIV/AIDS.
3. Discuss the synergy between HIV aids and common opportunistic infections.
-Although there are numerous types of infections that take advantage of the
Immune system’s weakness caused by HIV/AIDS, studies have shown that there
Are several opportunistic infections that are very common in HIV-positive individuals in Kenya?
i. Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)

-Tuberculosis can develop in an HIV-infected individual as a result of new
Exposure to the disease, or a latent case of it can be reactivated in a person
As his or her immune system is weakened by HIV/AIDS.
-Symptoms of this infection include coughing and chest congestion. In
Severe cases, individuals can have fevers and rapid progression to sepsis (Blood infections).
ii. Malaria
-Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites and is transmitted through
Female anopheles mosquitoes.
-Symptoms of this disease often include chills, fever, headaches, nausea and vomiting, and sweats.
iii. Pneumonia (Pneumocystis jirovecii):

-This infection is generally either caused by new exposure or the activation of a latent infection that gains
strength when the immune system is compromised by HIV/AIDS.
iv. Cryptosporidiosis (“Crypto”) (Cryptosporidium):

-This infection is caused by a protozoan parasite that can be found in unclean water, especially when
animal sewage is present.
-Transmission from infected individuals to other individuals can also occur when young children are
infected, they often transmit the parasite to the adults that change the children’s diapers.
4. Explain how different opportunistic infections are acquired and managed in HIV aids patients.
Common opportunistic infections among HIV/AIDS patients and how they are acquired:
i. Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP): PCP is caused by a fungus called Pneumocystis jirovecii. It is
commonly acquired through inhalation of the fungus, which is present in the environment.
However, it is important to note that most people are exposed to this fungus during their lifetime,
but healthy individuals are able to fight it off without getting sick.
ii. Candidiasis: Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida species. It is commonly acquired
through contact with the fungus, which is present in the environment and can also be present on
the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals.
iii. Tuberculosis (TB): TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is commonly

acquired through inhalation of droplets from an infected person who is coughing or sneezing. TB
is a highly contagious disease, and HIV/AIDS patients are more susceptible to acquiring it due to
their weakened immune system.
iv. Cryptococci’s: Cryptococci’s is a fungal infection caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans or

Cryptococcus gattii fungi. It is commonly acquired through inhalation of the fungus, which is
present in the environment, particularly in soil contaminated with bird droppings.

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EGERTON UNIVERSITY.

FACULTY OF ENGINERING AND

BIOLOGY OF HIV/AIDS AND SOCIETY.

2. Justify why tuberculosis is the leading killer among AIDS patients.

i. Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)

iii. Pneumonia (Pneumocystis jirovecii):

iv. Cryptosporidiosis (“Crypto”) (Cryptosporidium):

iii. Tuberculosis (TB): TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is commonly

iv. Cryptococci’s: Cryptococci’s is a fungal infection caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans or

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