[Prophylaxis and maintenance treatments of opportunistic infections in adults]

Primary prophylaxis against opportunistic infections is a capital advance in the management of HIV-infected patients. In cases with pneumocystosis prophylaxis is recommended when the number of T4 cells reaches 200/mm3 or 15 to 20% and constitutes a major incitation to apply for detection of seropositivity. It can be predicted that other prophylaxis of this type will be available for other main opportunistic infections whose proportion is increasing due to extension of the patient's life expectation (e.g. toxoplasmosis). Research in this field relies on new drugs, on the use of older drugs, and above all on experimental models providing a good preclinical evaluation. The development of combined prophylactic treatments against several opportunistic infections is a priority target. Maintenance treatments are systematically given after a first opportunistic infection.