PROFILE OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS IN HIV SEROPOSITIVE PATIENTS: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virus, causative agent in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is fast becoming a major threat in the Indian subcontinent, with an estimated 3.7 million persons being infected with HIV. HIV infection is complicated by various opportunistic infections (OIs) such as tuberculosis (TB), candidiasis, herpes zoster, Pneumocystis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) etc. This study carried out to know the clinical profile opportunistic infections in HIV seropositive patients. The aim of this study to determine the opportunistic infections in adult AIDS patients. Material and methods: A total of 200 patients were tested for opportunistic infections in HIV patients. All the specimens were processed as per standard procedures to detect opportunistic infections. Results: 200 cases that satisfied the inclusion criteria were considered for the study. Of the 200 individuals analyzed, 133 (66.5%) were males and 67 (33.5%) were females. The maximum number of patients who had opportunistic infections fell in the age group of 25-35yrs, 94 (47%), followed by the age group below 25 yrs, 53 (26.5%) and most of the occupants, who harboured opportunistic infections were labourer (49.5%), n=49, followed by driver 17.5% and then housewives 13%. The tuberculosis is the most frequent opportunistic infections accounting for 52.5% of all opportunistic infections, followed by candidiasis in 50.5% of cases and followed by pneumocystosis in 17%, cryptosporidiosis in 10.5%. Conclusions: Respiratory system was the most common system involved by OIs. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of opportunistic infections is important before development of severe immunodeficiency to prevent serious and fatal outcome. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Opportunistic Infections, Tuberculosis, Candidiasis