Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients
13:50

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients

Published on: June 11, 2011

Fever or unknown origin in HIV/AIDS patients

B A Cunha1

  • 1Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.

Drugs of Today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998)
|September 16, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Fevers of unknown origin (FUO) in HIV/AIDS patients are often caused by intracellular pathogens like Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). These infections typically manifest in late-stage illness when CD4 counts are below 100.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Fevers of unknown origin (FUO) present a diagnostic challenge, particularly in immunocompromised populations such as patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
  • Infections are the primary cause of FUO in HIV/AIDS patients, often reflecting opportunistic pathogens common in this demographic.
  • These infections manifest as prolonged fevers, indicating a significant underlying pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the common infectious etiologies of FUO in patients with HIV/AIDS.
  • To highlight the geographical variations in FUO causes, distinguishing between North American and worldwide prevalent pathogens.
  • To correlate the occurrence of FUO with disease stage, specifically CD4+ T-cell counts.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical data and etiological investigations of HIV/AIDS patients presenting with FUO.
  • Analysis of common intracellular pathogens implicated in FUO within the HIV/AIDS cohort.
  • Comparison of etiological profiles based on geographical location (North America vs. worldwide).

Main Results:

  • In North America, disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), fungal infections, and cytomegalovirus are leading causes of FUO in HIV/AIDS.
  • Globally, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and leishmaniasis are significant contributors to FUO in this patient group.
  • FUO in the HIV/AIDS population is predominantly observed in advanced stages of the disease, characterized by CD4+ T-cell counts below 100 cells/mm³.

Conclusions:

  • The etiology of FUO in HIV/AIDS patients is largely driven by intracellular pathogens, mirroring common opportunistic infections but presenting as prolonged fevers.
  • Geographical location significantly influences the specific pathogens responsible for FUO in HIV/AIDS patients.
  • Monitoring CD4+ T-cell counts is crucial, as FUO in HIV/AIDS patients typically indicates severe immunosuppression and late-stage disease.

More Related Videos

Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment07:21

Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment

Published on: June 23, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Types of Fever01:25

Types of Fever

Fever can be triggered by several factors, including infections, nervous system disorders, certain cancers, blood diseases like leukemia, embolism, thrombosis, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, and allergic reactions.
Here are the different types of fever:
Increased Body Temperature01:25

Increased Body Temperature

A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
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...
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,...
Yellow Fever01:18

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted primarily by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America. After transmission through a mosquito bite, the virus initially replicates in skin-resident immune cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. These cells then migrate to the lymph nodes, where viral replication increases, eventually leading to...
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...