Abstract
This study aimed to examine the prevalence of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients in Bahrain and its relation to absolute CD4 count, CD4%, and CD4/CD8 ratio. This retrospective cohort study used laboratory records (January 2009 - May 2013) from a major hospital in Bahrain. Opportunistic infections (OIs); absolute CD4 counts, CD4%, and CD4/CD8 ratio were recorded. CD4% and absolute CD4 count in HIV patients with associated infections (157 ± 295) was significantly lower than in those without associated infections (471 ± 285) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in CD4/CD8 ratio between the two groups. Infection with Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest infection, present in 9.8% of total HIV-infected patients and 28.7% of members of the AIDS patient group with OIs, followed by yeast infections (9.2% and 27.2%, respectively). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was present in 3.6% of total HIV-infected patients and 10.6% of the group with OIs, while mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) was present in 2.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) was observed in 5.1% and 15.1%, respectively. Herpes simplex II (HSV-II) was observed in 3% and 9%, respectively, while Cytomegalovirus antigenemia was only present in 2% and 6%, respectively. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus milleri, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Citrobacter species were bacterial infections observed least frequently. Studying the pattern of OIs in HIV-infected patients in Bahrain is of paramount importance due to the scarcity of data in the Arab world. This will help to improve physicians' awareness to improve care of HIV-infected patients.
Highlights
This study aimed to examine the prevalence of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients in Bahrain and its relation to absolute CD4 count, CD4%, and CD4/CD8 ratio
Data pertaining to all microbial isolates, to bacterial, parasitic and viral infection, and to CD4%, absolute CD4 count, and CD4/CD8 ratio were retrospectively collected from the laboratory information system
There was a significant decrease in CD4% and absolute CD4 count in the HIV-positive with associated infections group compared with the HIV-positive without associated infections group (p < 0.001)
Summary
This study aimed to examine the prevalence of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients in Bahrain and its relation to absolute CD4 count, CD4%, and CD4/CD8 ratio. Conclusions: Studying the pattern of OIs in HIV-infected patients in Bahrain is of paramount importance due to the scarcity of data in the Arab world. This will help to improve physicians’ awareness to improve care of HIV-infected patients. According to Bahrain's Ministry of Health, statistics showed that from a total 415 HIVinfected patients registered in Bahrain, 69 cases of people infected with HIV/AIDS were added in 2012; 51% of them were foreigners. Out of the 415 registered HIVinfected patients, 203 (48.9%) have died, with OIs being the major cause of death [2]
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