Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 24, 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

12.8K

Bloodstream infections in HIV-infected patients

Lucia Taramasso1, Paola Tatarelli1, Antonio Di Biagio1

  • 1a Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.

Virulence
|March 8, 2016
PubMed

Insights

HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy are susceptible to bloodstream infections (BSI). Common culprits include nontyphoid Salmonella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, with immunosuppression being a key risk factor.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • HIV/AIDS Research
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) remain at high risk for bloodstream infections (BSI).
  • Identifying common pathogens and risk factors is crucial for managing BSI in this immunocompromised population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the primary bacterial, mycobacterial, and fungal pathogens causing bloodstream infections in HIV-infected patients.
  • To highlight the association of specific infections with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteremia.
  • To underscore the role of immunosuppression as a prognostic factor for BSI development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of epidemiological data on bloodstream infections in HIV patients.
  • Categorization of pathogens based on Gram staining (positive/negative), genus, and species.
  • Correlation of infection types with clinical conditions and patient immune status.

Main Results:

  • Nontyphoid Salmonella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and coagulase-negative staphylococci are leading causes of BSI worldwide in HIV patients.
  • Gram-positive bacteremia is linked to catheter-associated infections, skin-soft tissue infections, and endocarditis.
  • Mycobacteria are a significant cause of BSI in resource-limited settings, while Cryptococcus neoformans is the most common life-threatening fungal BSI.

Conclusions:

  • Despite cART, HIV patients are vulnerable to diverse BSIs.
  • Immunosuppression is the critical determinant for BSI onset and severity.
  • Targeted surveillance and management strategies are essential for preventing and treating BSIs in HIV-infected individuals.
Keywords:
AIDSBSIGram negativeGram positiveHIVbacteriemiabloodstream infectionfungemiamycobacteriasepsis

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

22.7K
Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models09:54

Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models

Published on: December 3, 2019

10.8K

Related Concept Videos

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...
1.6K
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...
2.8K
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...
1.2K
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...
50.5K