Evaluation of the current management protocols for prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and other opportunistic infections in patients living with HIV/AIDS

Opportunistic infections (OIs) are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients living with HIV/AIDS. Data on the proper administration of prophylactic regimes for the prevention of OIs in such patients are scarce. A total of 205 confirmed HIV-infected patients were enrolled in the study from the inpatient wards and outpatient services. The treatment given to them for the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii (jiroveci) pneumonia was compared with the established guidelines and the proportions of those receiving proper treatment were calculated. Primary prophylaxis was seen to be satisfactory in the case of P. carinii (jiroveci) pneumonia. The prophylaxis was not given properly for tuberculosis and other common OIs. Secondary prophylaxis was up to the mark. Prophylaxis in AIDS patients seems to be a major problem area and a lot of efforts need to be directed toward it since patients suffering from AIDS are bound to have a downhill course despite provision of all available treatment options.     

Benign tertian malaria--a misnomer?

Plasmodium vivax usually causes an acute self-limiting febrile illness with fever spikes on every third day and no complications or death. Therefore the illness caused by this parasite was termed benign tertian malaria. However, many complications associated with Plasmodium falciparum have been seen with increasing frequency with Plasmodium vivax in recent times. The present study highlights the various complications associated with Plasmodium vivax malaria.