Abstract:
Opportunistic infections (OI) are the major cause of morbidity and mortality among human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) infected individuals. The pattern of OIs differs widely, hence it is necessary to correlate spectrum of OIs and CD4
counts among HIV infected individuals in specific localities. Materials and Methods: The present study describes the clinical
and laboratory profiles of different OIs among 55 HIV seropositive patients. CD4 count was estimated and antiretroviral therapy
(ART) was started in 27 patients as per National Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Control Organization guidelines. These
27 patients were classified into stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3 based on CD4 counts of >500 cells/µl, 200-499 cells/µl and <200 cells/µl
respectively. The OIs presented by respective groups were documented. Results: Pulmonary tuberculosis was found to be
the most common OI constituting 43.6% of all cases followed by candidiasis (30.9%), cryptosporidial diarrhea (21.8%), herpes
zoster (16.3%), cryptococcal meningitis (3.63%), Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (1.81%), and other miscellaneous infections
(23.6%). Only 1 patient was found in stage I while 13 patients each were grouped in stage II or stage III. The mean CD4 count in
our study population who were on ART was 230 ± 150 cells/μl. Conclusion: The pattern of OIs among our study group did not
differ significantly from patients not receiving ART. The effect of ART on CD4 count differs from patient to patient based on the
degree of depletion of CD4 count before the initiation of ART, drug adherence, concomitant OIs and their treatment.
