Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings
Published on: March 30, 2014
Prophylaxis of opportunistic infections in persons with HIV infection
1Intramural AIDS Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md 20892.
Background:
Morbidity and mortality associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is most often related to associated opportunistic infections.
Objective:
To review the prophylaxis of common opportunistic infections in patients with human immunodeficiency virus.
Summary:
Prophylactic treatment for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia should begin when the CD4 count falls below 200 cells per microL. Recommended treatment consists of trimethoprim 160 mg and sulfamethoxazole 800 mg daily, but other regimens have been successfully used. This regimen appears to also prevent the development of toxoplasmic encephalitis. Fluconazole 100 mg once or twice weekly can prevent oral and esophageal candidiasis, but its efficacy against life-threatening fungal infections is unproved. Rifabutin 300 mg daily can delay the development of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection. Daily therapy with 300 mg of isoniazid for at least 9 months is recommended for persons at risk for tuberculosis.
Conclusions:
Prevention of opportunistic infections can prolong the lives of persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Effective regimens are available for preventing some of these infections, and studies are in progress to establish optimum regimens for others.
Related Concept Videos
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Pneumonia I: Introduction
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 I
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 Meningitis

