Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
23:56

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model

Published on: October 31, 2010

Septicaemia in patients with AIDS

D C Shanson1

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, UK.

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|January 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Septicaemia in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV infections is frequently caused by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Other common pathogens and the rise of intravenous line-associated infections highlight the evolving landscape of bloodstream infections in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Septicaemia presents a significant challenge in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, including those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  • Understanding the spectrum of pathogens causing septicaemia in HIV-infected individuals is crucial for effective clinical management and public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the common causative agents of septicaemia in patients with AIDS and non-AIDS-associated HIV infections at St Stephen's Hospital, London.
  • To compare the observed patterns of septicaemia with findings from other international centres and identify potential contributing factors to variations.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of patient records over a 5-year period at St Stephen's Hospital.
  • Identification and categorization of pathogens causing septicaemia in patients diagnosed with AIDS and HIV infection.
  • Review and comparison with existing literature on HIV-associated septicaemia patterns globally.

Main Results:

  • In patients with AIDS, the most frequent pathogens identified were Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cryptococcus neoformans, and staphylococci.
  • Septicaemia in non-AIDS-associated HIV infections was also observed, with varying etiological agents reported across different international centres.
  • Salmonella species were noted as a prominent cause in several reports, and an increase in intravenous line-associated septicaemia in patients receiving parenteral therapy was observed.

Conclusions:

  • The spectrum of pathogens causing septicaemia in HIV-infected patients, particularly those with AIDS, is diverse and includes opportunistic infections.
  • Variations in septicaemia patterns internationally may be influenced by socio-economic factors, ethnicity, predisposing conditions, and diagnostic methods.
  • The increasing incidence of intravenous line-related septicaemia underscores the need for vigilant infection control measures in immunocompromised patients.

More Related Videos

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients13:50

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

Published on: June 11, 2011

Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression07:30

Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression

Published on: June 15, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
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...
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,...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...