J Korean Med Assoc.  2007 Apr;50(4):324-329. 10.5124/jkma.2007.50.4.324.

Treatment and Prevention of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Patients

• Lee SH

• KMID: 2184849
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2007.50.4.324

Abstract

Opportunistic infections (OIs) are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. The incidences of many OIs are decreasing because of advances in HIV-related therapy. These decreases have been attributed to successful OI prophylaxis and the use of potent antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART has reduced the incidence of OIs and has extended the patients' life expectancy substantially. ART is the most effective approach to prevent OIs. However, HIV-infected patients continue to develop OIs. This occurs because many patients unaware of their HIV status until they present with an OI, and also because certain patients seek medical attention at a later stage during the course of disease. OIs also still occur after the patient has started ART, in the setting of treatment failure or immune reconstitution syndrome. Therefore, OIs will continue to cause substantial morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV infection, even among persons who are receiving ART. In this review, we focus on primary and secondary prophylaxis as well as the treatment of the most frequent OIs in HIV-infected patients.

Keyword

HIV; Opportunistic infection; Treatment; Prophylaxis

MeSH Terms

HIV
HIV Infections
Humans
Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome
Incidence
Life Expectancy
Mortality
Opportunistic Infections*
Treatment Failure

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