Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 2, 2026

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

Recommendations for fungal opportunistic infections prevention in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus

L G Popa1, M I Popa, A Zaharia

  • 1Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

Roumanian Archives of Microbiology and Immunology
|February 16, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections pose significant risks for immunocompromised individuals, including those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Advances in antifungal treatments are crucial for managing these opportunistic infections in people with HIV.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Immunocompromised Host Infections
  • HIV/AIDS Complications

Background:

  • Fungal infections are a major cause of illness and death in immunocompromised patients, notably those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  • While antiretroviral therapy (ART) has advanced, managing secondary fungal infections in HIV patients remains a critical challenge.
  • The increasing prevalence of HIV infection necessitates enhanced strategies for diagnosing and treating fungal co-infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the growing importance of fungal infections in immunocompromised populations, particularly individuals with HIV/AIDS.
  • To emphasize the need for parallel advancements in antifungal management alongside antiretroviral therapy.
  • To call for innovative research into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of fungal infections in HIV-infected individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current understanding of fungal infections in immunocompromised hosts.
  • Analysis of the interplay between antiretroviral therapy (ART) and antifungal treatments.
  • Exploration of immunopathogenesis and potential immune modulation strategies.

Main Results:

  • Fungal infections represent a significant source of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Advances in ART require corresponding progress in managing secondary fungal infections.
  • A deeper understanding of fungal immunopathogenesis is essential for developing novel interventions.

Conclusions:

  • Integrated approaches combining new antifungal agents, ART, and immune modulators are vital for preventing and treating fungal infections in people with HIV.
  • Further research into the immunopathogenesis of fungal infections is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
  • Innovative diagnostic and therapeutic modalities are needed to combat the rising threat of fungal co-infections in HIV patients.

More Related Videos

Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture11:14

Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture

Published on: October 12, 2018

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings19:57

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings

Published on: March 30, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...