Profile of HIV Patients with Opportunistic Infections in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangalore

Background: Due to the advent in molecular research aimed at AIDS chemotherapy, Scientists have succeeded in developing the chemotherapy sufficient enough to halting or atleast slowing the progression of HIV infection to AIDS by the use of life prolonging anti HIV/AIDS regimens termed as Antiretroviral drugs known as ART therapy. So far ART is the only effective treatment available to HIV/ AIDS patients. Provision of combined package treatment, care, adherence as well as regular assessment of the therapy increases its effectiveness. Objective: The aim of this study was to study the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy based on CD 4 cell count as well as to study the incidence and spectrum of various opportunistic infections in the above HIV patients. Materials and Methods: Study subjects were followed up for the period from June 2009 to February 2010.Their clinical status and CD4 counts were checked at each visit and opportunistic infections recorded if any. Results: We observed that as per the WHO staging system for HIV infection, majority of the study participants were presented with advanced stages of disease. 198 patients (86.1%) had stage 4 disease and 26 patients (11.3%) stage 3. The mean CD 4 counts at stage 4 as 127.76±78.80 cells/mm3 showing improvement post ART to 289.30±117.09. All patients were prescribed prophylaxis treatment of Cotrimoxazole while 179 patients (77.7%) were given other treatments for opportunistic infections. 41.7% had to be on ATT therapy. Pulmonary Tuberculosis was found to be the most common OI, (36.5%) followed by Candidiasis in 52 patients (22.6%). Conclusion: The spectrum and frequency certain OI’ s highlight the urgency of studying HIV/AIDS in resource limited countries where locally specific disease patterns maybe observed. This study gives an insight on the profile of opportunistic infections in HIV patients, thus presenting an optimistic future outlook by addressing key issues of concern and emphasing the need to enhance the knowledge and awareness locally and possibly contribute globally in the fight against this disease.