CD4 Count Category Research Articles

A study of Mucocutaneous Manifestations of HIV infections & its relation with CD4 Count

AIDS was first recognized in the United States in 1981. In 1983, HIV was isolated and by 1984 it was demonstrated clearly to be the causative agent of AIDS. All countries in the world are facing HIV/AIDS occurrence as a major health problem. Dermatological involvement in AIDS has been appreciated since the days the disease was recognized as a cryptic acquired immune deficiency illness in homosexual men and before the causative virus was identified. HIV has been demonstrated in the dermis of infected individuals and may be present in langerhans cells. It is estimated that more than 90% of HIV- infected patients develop skin or mucous membrane disorders at some time during their infection. The knowledge of skin manifestations such as bacillary angiomatosis, Kaposi‘s sarcoma, oral candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia, may provide a clue for diagnosing a previously undetected HIV positive status. CD4 cell count is extremely important in staging of HIV infection and a revised classification of the center for disease control (CDC), Atlanta, USA (1993) divides HIV positive persons into three CD4 count categories: 1) 1>500/Ml; 2) 200- 499/Ml, 3) Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: In general a CD4 cell count of 200/mL is roughly equivalent to 20% of the lymphocyte count. The normal range for CD4 values vary between laboratories but they are around 500- 1300/mL for the absolute count and 38%- 65% for the percentage. The CD4 T lymphocytes; a subpopulation of the lymphocytes also known as T helper cells, are coordinators of the body‘s immune response, e.g. providing help to B cells in the production of antibody, as wells as in augmenting cellular immune response to antigens. Within hours of exposure to HIV, CD4 T lymphocytes are found to be infected showing active viral replication.

Association between monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio and tuberculin skin test positivity in HIV-positive adults.

BackgroundThe tuberculin skin test (TST) identifies individuals at high risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) but poses many challenges. The blood monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) could be an alternative, as extremes in MLR have been associated with increased risk of TB disease.MethodsAt a primary care clinic in Johannesburg, a differential white blood cell count and TST was performed in adults starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) without symptoms suggestive of active TB.ResultsOf 259 participants, 171 had valid results of whom 30% (51/171) were TST positive and the median MLR was 0.18 (IQR 0.13–0.28). The MLR distribution differed between CD4 count categories (p < 0.01), with a broader range of values in TST negative participants with a low CD4 count (≤ 250 cells/mm3), likely reflecting HIV immunosuppression. MLR was associated with a positive TST (OR 0.78 per 0.1 increase, 95% CI 0.59, 0.97) in bivariate analysis but not in multivariate regression analysis (aOR 0.83 for every 0.1 increase, 95% CI 0.60, 1.08).ConclusionIn ART-naïve adults without symptoms suggestive of active TB, MLR was not independently associated with TST positivity and is thus unlikely to be a useful alternative to TST. Future research should focus on development of a cheap, simple and accurate biomarker to identify those people benefiting most from preventive TB therapy.

Current and Past Immunodeficiency Are Associated With Higher Hospitalization Rates Among Persons on Virologically Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy for up to 11 Years.

Persons with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) with persistently low CD4 counts despite efficacious antiretroviral therapy could have higher hospitalization risk. In 6 US and Canadian clinical cohorts, PWH with virologic suppression for ≥1 year in 2005-2015 were followed until virologic failure, loss to follow-up, death, or study end. Stratified by early (years 2-5) and long-term (years 6-11) suppression and lowest presuppression CD4 count <200 and ≥200 cells/µL, Poisson regression models estimated hospitalization incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) comparing patients by time-updated CD4 count category, adjusted for cohort, age, gender, calendar year, suppression duration, and lowest presuppression CD4 count. The 6997 included patients (19 980 person-years) were 81% cisgender men and 40% white. Among patients with lowest presuppression CD4 count <200 cells/μL (44%), patients with current CD4 count 200-350 vs >500 cells/μL had aIRRs of 1.44 during early suppression (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-2.06), and 1.67 (95% CI, 1.03-2.72) during long-term suppression. Among patients with lowest presuppression CD4 count ≥200 (56%), patients with current CD4 351-500 vs >500 cells/μL had an aIRR of 1.22 (95% CI, .93-1.60) during early suppression and 2.09 (95% CI, 1.18-3.70) during long-term suppression. Virologically suppressed patients with lower CD4 counts experienced higher hospitalization rates and could potentially benefit from targeted clinical management strategies.

Effect of Baseline Symptom Manifestations on Retention in Care and Treatment among HIV-Infected Patients in Nigeria.

Background:Symptom management is an important component of HIV care. But symptom patterns and how they affect engagement with HIV care and treatment services have not been adequately explored in the era of increased HIV treatment scale-up. We investigated the relationship between symptom patterns among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and 12 months retention in care, within the context of other clinical and demographic characteristics.Methods:Retrospective cohort analysis of 5114 PLHIV receiving care within a large HIV treatment program in Nigeria. We assessed the prevalence and burden of baseline symptoms reported during routine clinic visits from January 2015 to December 2017. Multivariable regression was used to identify relationships between 12-month retention and symptom dimensions (prevalence and burden) while controlling for demographic and other clinical variables.Results:Increasing symptom burden was associated with higher likelihood of retention at 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.19 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.09-1.29]; P < .001) as was the reporting of skin rashes/itching symptom (aOR = 2.59 [95% CI: 1.65-4.09]; P < .001). Likelihood of retention reduced with increasing World Health Organization (WHO) Clinical staging, with CD4 ≥500 cells/mL and self-reported heterosexual mode of HIV transmission. Conclusions: Symptom dimensions and standardized clinical/immunological measures both predicted retention in care, but effects differed in magnitude and direction. Standardized clinical/immunological measures in HIV care (eg, WHO clinical staging and CD4 count categories) can mask important differences in how PLHIVs experience symptoms and, therefore, their engagement with HIV care and treatment. Symptom management strategies are required alongside antiretroviral treatment to improve outcomes among PLHIV, including retention in care.

Retention in clinic versus retention in care during the first year of HIV care in Nairobi, Kenya: a prospective cohort study.

IntroductionWhen measuring the success of HIV programmes to retain patients in care, few studies distinguish between retention in clinic (individual returns to the same clinic) and retention in care (individual is active in care at initial site or elsewhere). The objectives of this study were to quantify retention in clinic versus retention in care and determine risk factors associated with attrition from care in low‐income settings in Nairobi, Kenya.MethodsBetween April 2013 and June 2015, adults testing positive for HIV were recruited at two comprehensive care clinics in informal urban settlements. Participants were followed from the time of a positive HIV test for up to 14 months. Participants who did not return to the clinic for their 12‐month appointment between 10 and 14 months after their baseline visit were traced by telephone or community outreach to determine whether they were still receiving HIV care. We used generalized linear regression to determine the association between clinical and socio‐demographic factors and attrition from care at 12 months.ResultsOf the 1068 individuals screened for study participation, 775 individuals newly presenting to HIV care were included in this study. Between 10 and 14 months, 486 participants (62.7%, 95% confidence intervals [CI], 59.2% to 66.1%) returned to the clinic for their 12‐month appointment (retained in clinic). After telephone tracing and community outreach, an additional 123 of 289 participants were found to be active in care at other HIV clinics (42.6%, 95% CI, 36.8% to 48.5%). Overall, 609 (78.6%, 95% CI, 75.7% to 81.5%) participants were retained in care at any HIV clinic at 12 months. Participants in higher baseline CD4 count categories were more likely to be retained than those whose baseline CD4 count was <200 cells/mm3.ConclusionsRetention in clinic substantially underestimated retention in care 12 months after presenting to care in this high‐prevalence and low‐income urban setting. Improved systems to track patients between clinics are required to accurately estimate retention in care in resource‐limited settings. Although the proportion of patients retained in care was greater than expected, interventions to improve retention in care are needed to meet global targets to end the AIDS epidemic.

Early HIV Diagnosis Leads to Significantly Decreased Costs in the First 2 Years of HIV Care in an Urban Charity Hospital in New Orleans.

We undertook a retrospective cohort study of patients with a positive HIV test in the emergency department who were then linked to care. Inpatient, outpatient, and emergency costs were collected for the first 2 years after HIV diagnosis. Fifty-six patients met the inclusion criteria; they were predominantly uninsured (73%) and African American (89%). The median total cost for a newly diagnosed patient over the first 2 years was US$36 808, driven predominantly by outpatient costs of US$17 512. Median inpatient and total costs were significantly different between the lowest (<200 cells/mm3) and highest (>499 cells/mm3) CD4 count categories (US$21 878 vs US$6607, P <.05; US$61 378 vs US$18 837, P <.05, respectively). Total costs were significantly different between viral load categories <100 000 HIV-RNA copies/mL and ≥100 000 HIV-RNA copies/mL (US$28 219 vs US$49 482, P <.05). Costs were significantly lower among patients diagnosed earlier in their disease. Decreased cost is another factor supporting early diagnosis and linkage to care for patients with HIV.

Routine Eye Screening by an Ophthalmologist Is Clinically Useful for HIV-1-Infected Patients with CD4 Count Less than 200 /μL.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether routine eye screening by an ophthalmologist in patients with HIV-1 infection is clinically useful.MethodsA single-center, retrospective study in Tokyo, Japan. HIV-1-infected patients aged over 17 years who visited our clinic for the first time between January 2004 and December 2013 and underwent full ophthalmologic examination were enrolled. At our clinic, ophthalmologic examination, including dilated retinal examination by indirect ophthalmoscopy was routinely conducted by ophthalmologists on the first visit. The prevalence of ophthalmologic diseases and associated factors including the existence of ocular symptoms were analyzed.ResultsOf the 1,515 study patients, cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV-R) was diagnosed in 24 (2%) patients, HIV retinopathy (HIV-R) in 127 (8%), cataract in 31 (2%), ocular syphilis in 4 (0.3%), and uveitis with unknown cause in 8 (0.5%). Other ocular diseases were diagnosed in 14 patients. The CD4 count was <200 /μL in all CMV-R cases and 87% of HIV-R. The prevalence of any ocular diseases, CMV-R, and HIV-R in patients with CD4 <200 /μL were 22%, 3%, and 15%, respectively, whereas for those with CD4 ≥200 /μL were 5%, 0%, and 2%, respectively. No ocular symptoms were reported by 71% of CMV-R cases and 82% of patients with any ocular diseases.ConclusionsRoutine ophthalmologic screening is recommended for HIV-1-infected patients with CD4 <200 /μL in resource-rich settings based on the high prevalence of ocular diseases within this CD4 count category and because most patients with ocular diseases, including those with CMV-R, were free of ocular symptoms.

The impact of sporotrichosis in HIV-infected patients: a systematic review.

Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection of man and animals caused by Sporothrix complex. It usually presents as a lymphocutaneous form, but disseminated disease may occur. Given the paucity of data about HIV/AIDS and sporotrichosis co-infection, a systematic review of reported cases of HIV-associated sporotrichosis found via Pubmed (1984-2013) was done. A total of 39 papers were included, and 58 patients' data analyzed. Thirty-three (56.9 %) cases were from Brazil and 18 (31 %) from the USA. Patients' mean age was 37.8 ± 10.4 years; males predominated (84.5 %). The median CD4(+) cell count was 97 cells/mm(3). The most common clinical forms were disseminated and disseminated cutaneous with 33 (56.9 %) and 10 (17.5 %) patients, respectively. There was a correlation between CD4(+) count and clinical categories (p = 0.002). Mortality was 30 % and there was a correlation between central nervous system involvement and death (p < 0.001).

Determinants of utilization of a no-cost HIV transition clinic: a cross-sectional study of young adults living with HIV/AIDS.

There is minimal research that has been conducted among young adults to understand the determinants of the utilization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) health services in this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the levels and determinants of HIV transition clinic (HTC) services utilization by young adults living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (YALHA). The study used a cross-sectional design and quantitative methods to collect data from a sample of 379 YALHA between the ages of 15–24 years who were registered clients of an HTC in Uganda. During data analysis, utilization was categorized into two levels: regular (kept all appointment visits) and irregular (missed one or more appointment visits) utilization. Univariable, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the determinants associated with HTC utilization. The HTC services that were most utilized by the YALHA were those based at the clinic and provided by professional health care providers and these were: clinical examination (96%); laboratory services (87.1%); and counseling (69.7%). The services that were least utilized were home visiting (5.8%) and peer support services (19.8%). Of the 379 YALHA, only 32.4% regularly utilized the HTC. Multivariable analysis showed that the main determinants of HTC utilization were CD4 count category of ≥251/μL (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] =0.36–0.95); not being on antiretroviral therapy (AOR =0.27, 95% CI =0.15–0.47); and not receiving counseling services (AOR =0.47, 95% CI =0.27–0.83). Regular utilization of the HTC by YALHA was low and utilization seems to be influenced by HIV infection stage and HIV counseling services, but not sociodemographic factors or community factors.

Modeling Outcomes of Earlier ART Initiation in the U.S.

Modeling outcomes in HIV care can provide insight into future trends and costs relating to various care strategies. Now, researchers have used a Monte Carlo health-state transition simulation to predict long-term outcomes for a hypothetical 10,000 patients in each of four CD4-count categories on care entry: ≤200, 201–350, 351–500, and 501–900 cells/mm3. They assumed that a patient entering care at a CD4 count >500 cells/mm3 would …

P2.107 Atopic Dermatitis in a HIV-Positive Cohort at Ruhr University Bochum

BackgroundIn HIV-positive individuals clinicians observe a broad range of skin conditions like xerosis, tumours, rash and drug-induced exanthema as well as common skin infections caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses....

Antiretroviral Therapy for Prevention of Tuberculosis in Adults with HIV: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is the strongest risk factor for developing tuberculosis and has fuelled its resurgence, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2010, there were an estimated 1.1 million incident cases of tuberculosis among the 34 million people living with HIV worldwide. Antiretroviral therapy has substantial potential to prevent HIV-associated tuberculosis. We conducted a systematic review of studies that analysed the impact of antiretroviral therapy on the incidence of tuberculosis in adults with HIV infection. PubMed, Embase, African Index Medicus, LILACS, and clinical trial registries were systematically searched. Randomised controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, and retrospective cohort studies were included if they compared tuberculosis incidence by antiretroviral therapy status in HIV-infected adults for a median of over 6 mo in developing countries. For the meta-analyses there were four categories based on CD4 counts at antiretroviral therapy initiation: (1) less than 200 cells/µl, (2) 200 to 350 cells/µl, (3) greater than 350 cells/µl, and (4) any CD4 count. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Antiretroviral therapy is strongly associated with a reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis in all baseline CD4 count categories: (1) less than 200 cells/µl (hazard ratio [HR] 0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07 to 0.36), (2) 200 to 350 cells/µl (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.60), (3) greater than 350 cells/µl (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.63), and (4) any CD4 count (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.44). There was no evidence of hazard ratio modification with respect to baseline CD4 count category (p = 0.20). Antiretroviral therapy is strongly associated with a reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis across all CD4 count strata. Earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy may be a key component of global and national strategies to control the HIV-associated tuberculosis syndemic. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42011001209 Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.

Assessment of haematological parameters in HIV-infected and uninfected Rwandan women: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesAlthough haematological abnormalities are common manifestations of HIV infection, few studies on haematological parameters in HIV-infected persons have been undertaken in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors assessed factors associated with haematological...

The Clinical Significance of CD4 Counts in Asian and Caucasian HIV-Infected Populations: Results from TAHOD and AHOD

The significance of interethnic variation in CD4 counts between Asian and Caucasian populations is not known. Patients on combination antiretroviral therapy from Treat Asia and Australian HIV Observational Databases (TAHOD, predominantly Asian, n = 3356; and AHOD, predominantly Caucasian, n = 2312, respectively) were followed for 23 144 person-years for AIDS/death and all-cause mortality endpoints. We calculated incidence-rates and used adjusted Cox regression to test for the interaction between cohort (TAHOD/AHOD) and time-updated CD4 count category (lagged by 3 months) for each of the endpoints. There were 382 AIDS/death events in TAHOD (rate: 4.06, 95%CI: 3.68-4.50) and 305 in AHOD (rate: 2.39, 95%CI: 2.13-2.67), per 100 person-years. At any given CD4 count category, the incidence-rates of endpoints were found to be similar between TAHOD and AHOD (in the adjusted models, P > .05 for the interaction term between cohort type and latest CD4 counts). At any given CD4 count, risk of AIDS or death was not found to vary by ethnicity, suggesting that the CD4 count thresholds for predicting outcomes defined in Caucasian populations may be equally valid in Asian populations.

Inflammation and Mortality in HIV-Infected Adults: Analysis of the FRAM Study Cohort

To determine the association of inflammatory markers, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein (CRP), with 5-year mortality risk. Vital status was ascertained in 922 HIV-infected participants from the Study of Fat Redistribution and Metabolic Change in HIV infection. Multivariable logistic regression estimated odds ratios after adjustment for demographic, cardiovascular, and HIV-related factors. Over a 5-year period, HIV-infected participants with fibrinogen levels in the highest tertile (>406 mg/dL) had 2.6-fold higher adjusted odds of death than those with fibrinogen in the lowest tertile (<319 mg/dL). Those with high CRP (>3 mg/L) had 2.7-fold higher adjusted odds of death than those with CRP <1 mg/L. When stratified by CD4 count category, fibrinogen (as a linear variable) remained independently associated [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals)] per 100 mg/dL increase in fibrinogen: 1.93 (1.57 to 2.37); 1.43 (1.14 to 1.79); 1.43 (1.14 to 1.81); and 1.30 (1.04 to 1.63) for CD4 <200, 200-350, >350 to 500, and >500 cells per microliter, respectively. Higher CRP also remained associated with higher odds of death overall and within each CD4 subgroup. Fibrinogen and CRP are strong and independent predictors of mortality in HIV-infected adults. Our findings suggest that even in those with relatively preserved CD4 counts >500 cells per microliter, inflammation remains an important risk factor for mortality. Further investigation should determine whether interventions to reduce inflammation might decrease mortality risk in HIV-infected individuals.

Antiretroviral drug resistance in HIV-infected patients in Colombia

Background Systematically obtained data on antiretroviral (ARV) resistance in Colombia are lacking. Local estimates of resistance are needed to guide testing, therapy, and policy. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in ARV-naïve individuals and in patients with first ARV failure. Genotypic resistance testing was performed using Viro-seq. Predicted success to first- and second-line regimens recommended by the Colombian HIV treatment guidelines was estimated. Results One hundred and three naïve and 77 experienced patients were included. For naïve patients, resistance mutations were detected in 5.8%, with the most common mutations being 103N ( n = 5; 4.9%) and 184 V ( n = 3; 2.9%). CD4 count <200 cells/mm 3 ( p = 0.04) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) category C ( p = 0.004) were associated with primary resistance. For experienced individuals, regimens were non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based in 57.1%, protease inhibitor (PI)-based in 14.3%, boosted PI-based in 26.0%, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)-based in 2.6% of the cases. Resistance mutations were found in 66 patients (85.7%) with failure. The most common mutations were 184 V ( n = 48; 62.3%), 103N ( n = 37; 48.1%), G190A/S ( n = 9; 11.7%), and L90 M ( n = 9; 11.7%). Twelve percent had thymidine analogue mutations (TAMs) but only 1% had more than 1 TAM. The predicted success of regimens recommended by the Colombian guidelines was 95% for naïve patients and 84% for experienced patients. Genotyping could increase the success rates to 100% and 94%, respectively. Conclusions The frequency of primary HIV resistance in Colombia is similar to estimates from other countries in Latin America. CD4 count and CDC category C may allow identification of most of the naïve patients who would benefit from resistance testing. Resistance testing could favorably impact therapy modification in about 5% and 10% of naïve and experienced patients, respectively.

Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patients in French Guiana

French Guiana is the French overseas department where the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is most preoccupying. There are 38 new acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cases per 100000 inhabitants per year and >1% of HIV-positive pregnant women. Approximately two thirds of the HIV patients are foreign citizens mostly from Haiti. The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy has led to remarkable gains in patient survival. However HIV and the metabolic complications of highly active antiretroviral therapy seem to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases notably high blood pressure. To further improve survival it is important to better understand these pathologies. The objective of the present study is to determine the risk factors for high blood pressure among patients followed in the hospital cohort of patients followed in the 3 hospitals of French Guiana. (authors)

Analysis of Costs by CD4 Count Category for the Darunavir/r 600/100 mg bid and Control Protease Inhibitor Arms of the POWER 1 and 2 Trials

Background: HIV-infected people with low CD4 counts are at higher risk of AIDS and incur increased health care costs from in-patient stays and medications. Method: In the POWER 1 and 2 trials, patients were treated with optimized nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and optional enfuvirtide (T-20), plus darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) or control protease inhibitor (PI). UK data on costs of care by CD4 count were combined with the data on antiretroviral treatment use and CD4 counts from the POWER trials to calculate expected health care costs. Results: The mean annual UK cost of care (excluding antiretrovirals [ARVs]) was £23,780, £13,762, £7,032, and £7,032 for patients with CD4 <50, 50–200, 200–350, and >350 cells/μL respectively. In the POWER trials, at week 48, the proportions of patients with CD4 counts in these categories were 7%, 36%, 29%, and 27% for the DRV/r arm versus 23%, 28%, 27%, and 22% for the control PI arm. The mean predicted annual per-patient cost of care was £11,170 for DRV/r versus £12,873 for control PI. Conclusion: By raising CD4 counts to levels where the risk of AIDS events is reduced, DRV/r treatment is predicted to lower patient care costs for ARV-experienced, HIV-infected individuals in the first year of treatment.

Respiratory disease trends in the Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study cohort. Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study Group.

We examined trends in the incidence of specific respiratory disorders in a multicenter cohort with progressive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease during a 5-yr period. Individuals with a wide range of HIV disease severity belonging to three transmission categories were evaluated at regular intervals and for episodic respiratory symptoms using standard diagnostic algorithms. Yearly incidence rates of respiratory diagnoses were assessed in the cohort as a whole and according to CD4 count or HIV transmission category. The most frequent respiratory disorders were upper respiratory tract infections, but the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections increased as CD4 counts declined. Specific lower respiratory infections followed distinctive patterns according to study-entry CD4 count and transmission category. Acute bronchitis was the predominant lower respiratory infection of cohort members with entry CD4 counts > or = 200 cells/mm3. In cohort members with entry CD4 counts of 200 to 499 cells/mm3, the incidence of bacterial and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia each increased an average of 40% per year. In members with entry CD4 counts < 200 cells/mm3, acute bronchitis, bacterial pneumonia, and P. carinii pneumonia occurred at high rates without discernible time trends, despite chemoprophylaxis in more than 80% after Year 1, and the rate of other pulmonary opportunistic infections increased over time. Each year, injecting drug users had a higher incidence of bacterial pneumonia than did homosexual men. The yearly rate of tuberculosis was < 3 episodes/100 person-yr in each entry CD4 and HIV-transmission group. We conclude that the time trends of HIV-associated respiratory disorders are determined by HIV disease stage and influenced by transmission category. Whereas acute bronchitis is prevalent during all stages of HIV infection, incidence rates of bacterial pneumonia and P. carinii pneumonia rise continuously during progression to advanced disease. In advanced disease, the incidence of acute bronchitis, bacterial pneumonia and P. carinii pneumonia is high despite widespread chemoprophylaxis.