Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Throughout the epidemic, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) has been the most common AIDS-defining opportunistic infection in the United States. With the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and prophylaxis in patients known to be at risk, the incidence of PCP in patients with AIDS has declined dramatically. However, it is still seen regularly in patients with previously undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, those who do not comply with prophylactic medications, and in occasional cases of failure of prophylaxis. Despite many years of study, our understanding of the biology, ecology, and pathogenesis of PCP is inadequate. Clinically, PCP in AIDS tends to be a less acute and milder illness than PCP in other types of immunocompromised hosts. Although the radiograph typically shows bilateral diffuse granular opacities, many other patterns are seen. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the preferred drug for treating and preventing PCP, but toxicity limits its use. The choice of treatment is influenced by the severity of illness and relative toxicities of antipneumocystis agents. Adjunctive corticosteroid therapy is recommended for patients with moderate or severe disease. The success of HAART has prompted investigators to question whether prophylaxis against PCP and other opportunistic infections is necessary in patients who respond with a rise in CD4 lymphocyte counts and suppression of HIV replication.     

HIV-associated opportunistic pneumonias

Among the HIV-associated pulmonary complications, opportunistic pneumonias are major causes of morbidity and mortality. The spectrum of HIV-associated opportunistic pneumonias is broad and includes bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic pneumonias. Bacterial pneumonia is the most frequent opportunistic pneumonia in the United States and Western Europe while tuberculosis is the dominant pathogen in sub-Saharan Africa. With the use of combination antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis, the incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) has declined. Nevertheless, PCP continues to occur in persons who are unaware of their HIV infection, those who fail to access medical care, and those who fail to adhere to antiretroviral therapy or prophylaxis. Although pneumonias due to Cryptococcus neoformans , Histoplasma capsulatum , Coccidioides immitis , cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma gondii are less frequent, their presence in the lung is often indicative of disseminated disease and is associated with significant mortality.     

Lung function abnormalities in HIV‐infected adults and children

Despite the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic remains a global health crisis with a high burden of respiratory disease among infected persons. While the early complications of the epidemic were dominated by opportunistic infections, improved survival has led to the emergence of non‐infectious conditions that are associated with chronic respiratory symptoms and pulmonary disability. Obstructive ventilatory defects and reduced diffusing capacity are common findings in adults, and the association between HIV and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is increasingly recognized. There is synergism between viral factors, opportunistic infections, conventional influences like tobacco smoke and biomass fuel exposure, and potentially, the immunological effects of ART on the development of HIV‐associated chronic obstructive lung disease. Pulmonary function data for HIV‐infected infants and children are scarce, but shows that bronchiectasis and obliterative bronchiolitis with severe airflow limitation are major problems, particularly in the developing world. However, studies from these regions are sorely lacking. There is thus a major unmet need to understand the influences of chronic HIV infection on the lung in both adults and children, and to devise strategies to manage and prevent these diseases in HIV‐infected individuals. It is important for clinicians working with HIV‐infected individuals to have an appreciation of their effects on measurements of lung function. This review therefore summarizes the lung function abnormalities described in HIV‐positive adults and children, with an emphasis on obstructive lung disease, and examines potential pathogenic links between HIV and the development of chronic pulmonary disability.     

Mycobacterial infections in AIDS

Tuberculosis (TB) remains uniquely important among acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated opportunistic infections: it presents the greatest public health hazard worldwide, is the most readily curable, and is largely preventable with existing means. Given the expanding pool of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive persons, particularly in developing nations where Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a leading health problem, one can expect a continued rise in TB cases during the 1990s. Global efforts to eliminate TB are now inextricably entwined with the effectiveness of measures to curtail the HIV epidemic. Mycobacterium avium complex infection, currently an intractable late complication of aids, may increase in clinical importance as success in managing other opportunistic infections and HIV disease itself improves. Understanding of the pathogenesis and management of mycobacterial diseases should increase rapidly given the renewed research spurred on by the advent of HIV.     

Intensive care of patients with HIV infection

Despite the improvements in the prognosis associated with the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), more than 410,000 people in the United States were reported to have died from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by the end of 1998. The number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and AIDS in the United States continues to increase, estimated at more than 370,000 in 1998, and there is good reason for optimism that HIV infection may be a controllable disease in many people. Nevertheless, an estimated 27,000 persons still died of AIDS in the United States in 1997, and AIDS is still a leading cause of death in the age group 25 to 44 years. Despite the dramatic treatment advances for HIV infection and improving survival following an AIDS diagnosis, many patients still present with life-threatening complications of HIV infection for three major reasons. Highly active antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii and other infections are not effective in all patients, despite rigorous adherence to treatment. Others adhere to these therapies poorly. Finally, many patients present with advanced disease, unaware that they have HIV infection until they develop a serious opportunistic infection. Therefore, the AIDS epidemic and its burden of illness will continue, and decisions regarding the appropriateness of intensive care for individual patients will be inevitable. The impact of AIDS in Africa and Asia is far more devastating than in the United States and Europe, and most HIV-infected persons in the world live in the underdeveloped nations where intensive care is often unavailable. This article will deal with intensive care in patients with HIV in developed nations.     

Coccidioidomycosis among persons with human immunodeficiency virus infection in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Coccidioidomycosis remains an important opportunistic infection among individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who live in the coccidioidal endemic area. There are several manifestations of coccidioidomycosis during HIV infection, but pulmonary disease, either diffuse or focal, is the most common. The most important factor associated with the risk for developing clinically active coccidioidomycosis is a CD4 peripheral blood lymphocyte count of less than 250/microL. The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV infection has changed our approach to the management of opportunistic infections, including coccidioidomycosis. Few data are available regarding the incidence of coccidioidomycosis since the initiation of HAART, but these suggest a decline. It is currently recommended that antifungal therapy for coccidioidomycosis during HIV infection be continued indefinitely, even among those with asymptomatic disease. Future studies should indicate whether this is necessary if immune function has been reconstituted through appropriate therapy for the HIV infection.     

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and other pulmonary infections in TB smear-negative HIV-positive patients with atypical chest X-ray in Ethiopia

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) has been considered a rare disease in sub-Saharan Africa. However, a rising prevalence has been noted recently. The objective of this study was to determine the relative prevalence of PCP and other pulmonary opportunistic diseases in patients infected with HIV in Ethiopia. 131 consecutive patients with respiratory symptoms and atypical chest X-ray, who were sputum smear-negative for AFB and seroreactive for HIV, underwent clinical evaluation and investigation for Pneumocystis jiroveci and Mycobacterium tuberculosis from sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and fungal and bacterial pathogens from BAL alone. Bacterial infections, Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) occurred in 44 (33.6%), 39 (29.7%) and 31 (23.7%) patients, respectively. Pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma and non-specific interstitial pneumonitis occurred in 4 patients each. In a multivariate regression model, predictors of PCP were typical chest X-ray and low CD4 count while purulent sputum predicted bacterial infection. The sensitivity of physicians and chest X-ray diagnosis was particularly low for PTB and bacterial infections. We conclude that chronic bacterial infection and Pneumocystis pneumonia are important differential diagnoses in HIV-infected, smear-negative PTB patients presenting with atypical chest X-ray. We therefore need to escalate the use of preventive and highly active antiretroviral (HAART) treatment in order to prevent a PCP epidemic.     

Pneumocystis pneumonia in HIV-1-infected patients

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic disease that mainly affects patients with a deficiency of cell-mediated immunity, especially acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The incidence of PCP in these patients has declined substantially owing to the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy and PCP prophylaxis. However, PCP is still a major AIDS-related opportunistic infection, particularly in patients with advanced immunosuppression in whom human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection remains undiagnosed or untreated. The clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of PCP in patients with HIV-1 infection are addressed in this review.     

The survival benefits of AIDS treatment in the United States

BACKGROUND: As widespread adoption of potent combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) reaches its tenth year, our objective was to quantify the cumulative survival benefits of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) care in the United States. METHODS: We defined eras corresponding to advances in standards of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease care, including opportunistic infection prophylaxis, treatment with ART, and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (pMTCT) of HIV. Per-person survival benefits for each era were determined using a mathematical simulation model. Published estimates provided the number of adult patients with new diagnoses of AIDS who were receiving care in the United States from 1989 to 2003. RESULTS: Compared with survival associated with untreated HIV disease, per-person survival increased 0.26 years with Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia prophylaxis alone. Four eras of increasingly effective ART in addition to prophylaxis resulted in per-person survival increases of 7.81, 11.05, 11.57, and 13.33 years, compared with the absence of treatment. Treatment for patients with AIDS in care in the United States since 1989 yielded a total survival benefit of 2.8 million years. pMTCT averted nearly 2900 infant infections, equivalent to 137,000 additional years of survival benefit. CONCLUSIONS: At least 3.0 million years of life have been saved in the United States as a direct result of care of patients with AIDS, highlighting the significant advances made in HIV disease treatment.     

Toxoplasma gondii pneumonitis in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

Pulmonary toxoplasmosis is a rarely recognized opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. A few case reports have described pulmonary toxoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in association with Toxoplasma gondii central nervous system disease. We encountered six cases of pulmonary toxoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients who presented with a protracted febrile illness, respiratory symptoms, and an abnormal chest roentgenogram in the absence of neurologic findings. No clinical or roentgenographic features distinguished T gondii pneumonitis from more common opportunistic pulmonary infections. As the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic progresses, the presenting illnesses have evolved. Toxoplasma gondii must be considered a potential cause of pulmonary disease during the evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with respiratory symptoms.     

Risk for preventable opportunistic infections in persons with AIDS after antiretroviral therapy increases CD4+ T lymphocyte counts above prophylaxis thresholds

To determine incidence and risk for preventable opportunistic infections (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia [PCP] and disseminated Mycobacterium avium-complex [MAC] infection) in persons whose CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts had increased by >/=100 cells/microL to exceed the threshold of risk and in persons whose CD4(+) counts had never dropped below the threshold of risk, we analyzed data collected during the period 1990-1998 in the Adult/Adolescent Spectrum of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Disease Project. Using a counting-process formulation of the Cox model, we analyzed observation time in these 2 groups for persons who were prescribed antiretroviral therapy but not prophylaxis. The incidences of the infections were low for patients whose CD4(+) count rose above the threshold of risk (PCP, 0.6 cases per 100 person-years [PY]; MAC, 1. 0 cases per 100 PY) and not higher than in persons whose CD4(+) counts had not decreased below these thresholds, which suggests that discontinuation of primary prophylaxis for opportunistic infections may be considered for some patients.     

Speed use and HIV transmission

The United States has experienced three distinct methamphetamine epidemics: one in the 1950s, one in the late 1960s, and the third and current one in the mid-1990s. The current epidemic is closely related to the HIV epidemic. Amphetamine (speed) and methamphetamine use can lead to significant dependence and abuse, impaired judgement, and an increase in sexual risk-taking. Methamphetamine use is most prevalent in the western United States, and the drug is popular in the gay community. There is compelling evidence linking HIV disease and speed use. Some seropositive individuals appear to use amphetamines as self-medication for their HIV-related depression symptoms. Research, outreach, and prevention programs have targeted heroin, cocaine, and crack users, while the growing number of injection drug users who abuse amphetamines has been overlooked. Health care professionals should note each patient's specific drug use history and refer dependent patients to appropriate treatment.     

Mycobacterial disease in AIDS

An increase in tuberculosis cases in the United States has been partially linked to the large number of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other opportunistic infections and include cough, low-grade fever, and weight loss. In patients with early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, radiographic findings resemble those seen in patients with reactivation tuberculosis. In patients with advanced HIV infection, chest radiographs typically reveal bilateral, symmetric, coarse, nodular densities. An upper lobe distribution is not prevalent. Lymphadenopathy is reported in many patients. Antituberculous therapy leads to clinical and radiographic improvement. Radiographic deterioration during therapy should suggest the presence of another opportunistic infection. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection of the lung cannot be distinguished from tuberculosis clinically or radiographically. Therapy, however, is less likely to be successful in patients with MAC infection.     

Resolution of organ-specific complications of human immunodeficiency virus infection in children with use of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Opportunistic infections are a major source of morbidity and mortality in children and adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In addition, organ-specific complications of HIV infection, such as cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, encephalopathy, and others, contribute substantially to the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has produced a dramatic decline in the incidence of opportunistic infections among patients with HIV infection. Nevertheless, there is very little information concerning the value of HAART for organ-specific complications of HIV infection. In this report, we describe 3 children with HIV infection in whom the dominant clinical manifestations were cardiomyopathy, red cell aplasia, and nephropathy. HAART produced a decrease in the HIV ribonucleic acid level, an increase in the CD4 cell count, and resolution of the organ-specific complications in all patients. These cases add to our knowledge concerning the benefits of HAART for children with HIV infection.     

Disseminated Histoplasmosis in Early Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leads to transient immunosuppression followed by a quasi-homeostatic state with slow progression towards AIDS. Histoplasmosis has never been reported in early HIV. We present a case of disseminated histoplasmosis with documented recent seroconversion and review the literature regarding other opportunistic infections in early HIV.     

Pulmonary cryptococcosis

Cryptococcosis is a common opportunistic infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, also occurring in other immunosuppressed patients and occasionally those with no apparent immunocompromise. The majority of cases are caused by the ubiquitous encapsulated yeast, Cryptococcus neoformans, whereas Cryptococcus GATTII accounts for a smaller proportion of cases, often in immunocompetent patients. Severe meningoencephalitis is the commonest presentation; however, pulmonary cryptococcosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive individuals is underdiagnosed and without appropriate treatment leads to severe disseminated disease. The natural history of pulmonary cryptococcal infection in other immunosuppressed patients is also of dissemination and progression in the majority of cases, whereas immunocompetent patients may present with more localized, self-limiting disease. The presentation is usually with nonspecific respiratory symptoms, although severe respiratory failure has been reported in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Radiological presentations are varied and nonspecific, influenced by the underlying immune status of the patient. Diagnosis is based on isolation of Cryptococcus from, or detection of cryptococcal antigen in, a pulmonary specimen, coupled with appropriate clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings. Antifungal treatment with amphotericin B +/- flucytosine is recommended for severe disease, whereas fluconazole is the treatment of choice for mild and localized infections.     

Endobronchial lesions involved in Mycobacterium avium infection

Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) has been described traditionally as an opportunistic organism that causes disseminated disease in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive population and that acts as a pulmonary pathogen in patients with underlying lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or previously diagnosed tuberculosis. Pulmonary involvement of M. avium may range from asymptomatic colonization of the airway to invasive parenchymal or cavitary disease. However, endobronchial lesions involved in M. avium infection are rare in either immunocompetent or immunosuppressed hosts. We report here endobronchial mycobacterial infection in a HIV-negative patient.     

常州市老年HIV/AIDS病人的临床特征及其机会性感染疾病谱

目的探讨老年艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染者/艾滋病（AIDS）病人（简称HIV/AIDS病人）的临床特点及并发机会性感染的疾病谱,更好地指导临床对该疾病的认识和管理。方法采用回顾性分析方法,对2011年9月至2013年9月就诊的39例年龄〉60岁老年病人的人群特征、传播途径、常见症状体征、常见机会性感染、临床转归进行统计分析。结果 39例老年病人占同期住院病人的13.13%,其中男性34例,女性5例,性传播占89.75%。临床表现以发热（53.85%）、咳嗽（53.85%）、气急（51.28%）、乏力（76.92%）、消瘦（94.87%）、食欲下降（58.97%）、腹泻（38.46%）、淋巴结肿大（87.18%）多见,外周血中以白细胞（84.62%）、血小板（53.85%）下降为主要特征。肝功能主要表现为丙氨酸转氨酶升高者占5.13%,白蛋白下降者占38.46%。CD＋4T淋巴细胞计数〈200/μL者占87.18%,〈50/μL者高达48.72%。机会性感染以真菌感染比率高,依次为口腔真菌（43.59%）、肺孢子菌肺炎（15.38%）、皮肤真菌（5.13%）、食道真菌（5.13%）、隐球菌脑膜炎（2.56%）、尿路真菌感染（2.56%）,其中肺部真菌感染、口腔真菌感染者多见。但部分病人以疱疹病毒感染（5.13%）、弓形虫感染（5.13%）、隐球菌感染（2.56%）的临床表现而首次就诊。结论老年HIV/AIDS病人感染以性传播为主,男性多见,发病后临床症状不典型,病情复杂,多数并发有机会性感染。     

Disseminated histoplasmosis in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome

The ongoing epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has affected homosexual men, intravenous (IV) drug abusers, Haitians, hemophiliacs, and others. Defects in cell-mediated immunity place these patients at risk for opportunistic infections. We recently saw three men from Alabama with disseminated infection due to Histoplasma capsulatum. Two of these men were homosexual and the other was an IV drug abuser. These three patients had evidence of depressed cellular immunity consistent with a diagnosis of AIDS. Infection caused by organisms indigenous to certain geographic areas of the United States may become more common in patients with AIDS as the epidemic continues.