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opportunistic infection
An infection occurring in an immunocompromised host.
Etiology:
1) protozoan
a) Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)
b) toxoplasmosis encephalitis
c) cryptosporidia enteritis
2) viral
a) cytomegalovirus
b) Epstein-Barr virus - oral hairy leukoplakia
c) Herpes simplex
d) Herpes zoster
e) progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
3) fungal
a) oral candidiasis
b) Cryptococcus
c) coccidioidomycosis
d) histoplasmosis
e) aspergillosis
f) Sporothrix
g) Penicillium
4) bacteria
a) Salmonella
b) Streptococcus pneumoniae
c) Haemophilus influenzae
d) Mycobacteria
1] Mycobacterium tuberculosis
2] Mycobacterium avium complex
3] other Mycobacterial species
e) Listeria monocytogenes (non-bloody diarrhea, encephalitis, dairy)
f) Nocardia
g) Treponema pallidum (syphilis)
Epidemiology:
1) damp surfaces harbor fungi
2) showers may spread airborne molds, i.e. Aspergillus
Clinical manifestations: (in patients with AIDS) [2]
1) cough, dyspnea
2) seizures, ataxia
3) dysphagia
4) confusion, forgetfulness
5) chronic diarrhea, severe
6) fever
7) visual impairment
8) nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps
9) weight loss, fatigue
10) severe headaches
11) coma
Management:
1) see specific etiology
2) preventative measures
a) air filtration systems
b) disinfecting bathroom walls, especially shower stalls
Related
Cryptococcus
cytomegalovirus (CMV, human herpesvirus 5, HHV5)
Haemophilus influenzae
Herpes simplex (HSV) or Herpes hominis
Herpes zoster (shingles)
immunodeficiency; immunodeficiency syndrome
Listeria
Mycobacterium
Nocardia
Penicillium
Salmonella
Sporothrix
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
Specific
aspergillosis
coccidioidomycosis
cryptosporidiosis
fusariosis
geotrichosis
hairy leukoplakia
histoplasmosis (Ohio Valley fever)
HIV1/AIDS-associated opportunistic infection
oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush)
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)
progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
protothecosis
syphilis
toxoplasmosis
General
infection (infectious disease)
References
- Journal Watch 22(24):171, 2002
Ahaissie EJ et al Clin Infect Dis 35:e86, 2002
- Veterans Administration, Mather CA