Non-AIDS defining bacterial infections in patients with HIV infection

The use of effective combinated antiretroviral therapy has significantly improved the prognosis of patients with HIV infection. Although current antiretroviral regimens are very effective in inhibiting viral replication, its elimination is not a viable goal of treatment. Despite cART, non–AIDS-defining bacterial infections are still a serious problem. The spectrum of these infections, and in particular the proportion of particular bacterial pathogens, is not sufficiently described in the scientific literature.

In the study, HIV-infected patients followed at the HIV Out-Patient Clinic in Warsaw were registered in the clinic from 1 January 2007 to 31 July 2016. Survival analysis included 558 patients who met the study criteria.

Among 251 (44.9%) of those with positive culture, the most common bacterial pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (33%) and Escherichia coli (11.1%). The most common bacteria in the upper respiratory tract was Staphylococcus aureus (26.6%). In urine cultures the most common bacteria was Escherichia coli (9.5%). Staphylococcus aureus (2.3%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.3%) were the most common bacterial cultures in the wound. In skin cultures the most common bacteria was Staphylococcus aureus (3.9%). The highest number of positive cultures was obtained from the upper respiratory tract -166 (66.1%).

Non–AIDS-defining bacterial infections are a common clinical problem in HIV-infected patients despite the introduction of antiretroviral therapy and the pathogens that cause these infections are a very diverse group.