Abstract
With the introduction of antiretroviral therapy, there has been a dramatic decrease in the morbidity and mortality of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. Due to varying degree of immunosuppression, these patients are prone to various number of infections in their lifetime. Respiratory system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and the skin are the most susceptible for the organisms to be infected in opportunistic infections. Timely management of these microbial infections followed chemoprophylaxis is an important part of guidelines set for management of opportunistic infections in HIV. The development of drug toxicities and drug resistance in managing patients with HIV has always remained a clinical challenge. Consideration is given to the numerous known pharmacokinetic interactions between drugs used to treat and prevent opportunistic infections and antiretroviral drugs, and development of complications like immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Clinicians must be knowledgeable about optimal strategies for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections in order to improve health and to provide high quality of care for the patients.
Highlights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection accounts for the highest number of death attributable to any single infective agent with a global incidence of 35 million human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected people
The profile of opportunistic infections are changing with increase in incidence of diseases caused by Pneumocystis pneumoniae, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) due to better diagnostic methods
The rate of progression of an individual with HIV infection to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) depends upon number of viral and host defense factors like health status of the patient, risk behavior, type and frequency of exposure for OIs, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and accessibility to drugs for prevention and management of opportunistic infections (AlJabri, 2007)
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection accounts for the highest number of death attributable to any single infective agent with a global incidence of 35 million HIV infected people. After the discovery of first case in 1981, India now is the world’s third highest country with HIV cases with an estimated incidence of 2.3 million infected people (Park, 2015). The occurrence of new infections in India has reduced by 57% due to implementation of preventive strategies. The main focus of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) programme was to prevent the uninfected and treat the infected. Available guidelines provide literature on management of opportunistic infection, which differ from country to country. The profile of opportunistic infections are changing with increase in incidence of diseases caused by Pneumocystis pneumoniae, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) due to better diagnostic methods. There is an important role of antiretroviral therapy in prevention of OI and of equal concern is, initiation of antiretroviral therapy during treatment of acute OI (Kumarasamy et al, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
