Biomedical Research

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leading to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) causes progressive decline in immunological response in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) making them susceptible to a variety of and opportunistic infections which are responsible for morbidity and mortality. Community Care Centres (CCC) have been started as a measure to ensure compliance of antiretroviral treatment. Detailed history taking, clinical examination and laboratory tests were carried out in 110 patients. The pattern of opportunistic infections in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) attending CC was studied. The presenting symptoms were fever (82.2%), weight loss (65.8%), cough & dyspnoea (45.5%) and diarrhoea (41.7%). One or more opportunistic infections were observed in 63 patients (57%). Commonly observed were pulmonary tuberculosis (52.3%), candidiasis (39%), cryptosporidial diarrhoea (30.1%) and Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP) (14.2%). In 46.4% of cases CD4 count was less than 200. Findings point to the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic infections in order to improve quality and expectancy of life.

Author(s): Anant A. Takalkar, G.S. Saiprasad, V .G. Prasad, Narendra S. Madhekar
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