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

Published on: June 11, 2011

Fungal infections in HIV-infected patients

F M Durden1, B Elewski

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.

Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
|September 23, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Opportunistic fungal infections pose significant risks for individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Early diagnosis and treatment of these mycoses in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are crucial for managing morbidity and mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Opportunistic fungal infections are a major cause of illness and death in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection compromises the immune system, increasing susceptibility to various fungal pathogens.
  • Commonly implicated fungi include Candida, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Sporothrix schenckii, and dermatophytes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the characteristics and clinical presentations of common fungal pathogens in HIV-infected individuals.
  • To highlight the atypical nature of mycoses in this population and the importance of cutaneous manifestations for diagnosis.
  • To emphasize the need for high clinical suspicion, early diagnosis, and prompt therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of common and relevant mycotic pathogens in HIV-infected patients.
  • Discussion of their clinical characteristics and presentation.
  • Emphasis on diagnostic challenges and therapeutic considerations.

Main Results:

  • Fungal infections are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in HIV/AIDS patients.
  • Clinical presentations can be atypical and masked by other infections.
  • Cutaneous manifestations are important diagnostic indicators.

Conclusions:

  • Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of fungal infections are essential in HIV-infected patients.
  • Therapy often requires a combination of antifungal agents and host immune reconstitution.
  • A high index of suspicion is necessary for effective management of mycoses in this vulnerable population.

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