HIV and opportunistic infections Flashcards
who gets opportunistic infections
- immunodeficient
- chemo pts
- chronic steroid use
- elderly
- transplant pts
- generally associated with T cell immunosuppression
what are the common fungal opportunistic infections
- cryptococcus
- histoplasma
- candida
- pneumocystis
what are the common viral opportunistic infections
- CMV
what are the common parasitic opportunistic infections
- toxoplasma
risk factors for fungal opportunistic infections
- severity of T cell mediated immunity
- recent or current use of antifungals
- risk of exposure
- neutropenia
how is cryptococcus transmitted
- air droplets and bird droppings
- spores inhaled -> lodged into lung alveoli -> dissemination -> infection
- is a fungus
clinical manifestations of cryptococcus
- meningitis*
- insidious onset
- altered mental status* - usually irritable
- papilledema*
- malaise, fever
- n/v
- fullness in ears
- CT will be normal
- opening pressure during LP will be very high
diagnosis of cryptococcus
- test for antigen in CSF
treatment of cryptococcus
- amphotericin B
- fluconazole*
how is histoplasmosis transmitted
- inhalation
- exposure to chicken coops
- endemic to certain parts of US
- is a fungus
clinical manifestations of histoplasmosis
- 1-3 mo after exposure
- fever
- weight loss*
- dyspnea on exertion
- skin ulcers*
- hepatosplenomegaly
- lymphadenopathy
diagnosis of histoplasmosis
- urine test
- h. capsulatium antigen sensitivity in urine
treatment of histoplasmosis
- amphotericin b
- itraconazole*
what are the CD4 counts where candidiasis infections occur
- < 300
- esophagitis may also occur when <100
what is the most common cause of dysphagia and odynophagia in AIDS pts
- candidiasis
- is a fungus
treatment for candidiasis
- fluconazole*
- avoid topical treatments d/t low cure rate and high relapse rate
diagnosis
- gold standard= EGD endoscopy
clinical manifestations of candidiasis
- burning/ stabbing in mouth and/or throat
- white markings with surrounding erythema
- raised tissue
- not uncommon to have candidiasis, herpes, and CMV co-infection
how is pneumocystis jirovecii transmitted
- attach to alveolar epithelium -> inflammation, interstitial edema, diffuse alveolar damage
- enviornmental exposure is main cause
- fungus with tropism for lungs
clinical presentation of pneumocystis jirovecii
- gradual onset
- fever
- dry cough
- dyspnea
- average 1 month before medical consut
diagnosis of pneumocystis jirovecii
- imaging- HRCT chest
- lab- BAL immunoflorescence
treatment of pneumocystis jirovecii
- bactrim
- either IV or PO X 21 days
- steroids
at what CD4 level does CMV infection occur?
- <50
CMV clinical manifestations
- mainly affects retina
- no pain
- floaters, blurred vision, decreased peripheral vision
- light flashes
- sudden vision loss
- starts in 1 eye but usually involves both
- blindness d/t retinal detachment
- *** any acute vision loss, young, and immunosuppressed is CMV until proven otherwise
diagnosis of CMV
- perivascular fluffy yellow-white retinal infiltrate +/- hemorrhage
treatment of CMV
- IV ganciclovir
at what CD4 count does toxoplasmosis infection occur?
- CD4 <100 has 30% risk without ppx
- CD4 < 50 has 75% annual risk without ppx
what causes toxoplasmosis
- t. gondii
- 30% of people in US are seropositive