Opportunistic infections in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients from rural tertiary care hospital of western Maharashtra

Sachin Chandrakant Deorukhkar,Santosh Saini

doi:10.7439/ijbar.v3i12.877

Abstract

Background: The wide ranging clinical manifestations and pathological changes in patients infected with HIV / AIDS are both fascinating and challenging to health care professionals. OIs constitute a major health problem in patients infected with HIV. The type of pathogens responsible for morbidity and mortality vary from country to country and even from region to region within the same country. Objective: This study was designed with an aim to document the trends of opportunistic infections in HIV infected patients from rural tertiary care hospital of Western Maharashtra. Such studies have not been worked out before in this region. Methods: The study included various specimens from 142 HIV infected patients. All specimens were processed as per standard microbiological protocol for demonstration or isolation of pathogens. Results: HIV infection was more in males (62.6%). The most common clinical feature was weight loss (47.8%). Infectious agents were demonstrated or isolated in 81.6% HIV infected patients. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (44.8%) was the most common isolate followed by Candida species (23.2%). Conclusion: Opportunistic infections (OIs) are common complication in HIV infection. They cause substantial morbidity and hospitalization, necessitate toxic and expensive therapies and shorten the survival of people with HIV. Hence the early and accurate diagnosis of OIs is important.

Highlights

The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the most important public health problem of 20th century [1]
Prevalence of HIV infection was more in age group 31-40 years in males (39.3%), whereas in females it was seen in age group 21-30 years (39.6%)
The most common clinical feature was weight loss (47.8%), followed by pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) (36%) and chronic cough (33.1%) (Table No 1)

Summary

Introduction

The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the most important public health problem of 20th century [1]. Despite the widespread HIV awareness progammes going on at present, a large number of patients either go undiagnosed or present late with multiple infections [3]. The infection is alarming due to the unique pathogenesis of the virus which decreases the CD4 cells, signaling the emergence of opportunistic infections (OIs) in host [4]. OIs are major cause of morbidity and mortality in such patients. Infectious microbial agents causing OIs could be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic in immunocompetent individuals and it is often self limiting. In immunosuppressed individuals and individuals with malignancy these agents lead to severe life threatening diseases [5]

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