AN OVERVIEW OF IMPACT OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION ON MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION

AIDS is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).HIV is a retrovirus primarily attacks the immune defense system making the body extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infection (Ols). Ols are the leading cause of morbidity in patients with HIV infection. The most common opportunistic infections are Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), Toxoplasmosis gondii encephalitis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (most often retinitis) and infections from herpes simplexvirus(HSV). Early HIV detection and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are important to maintain cellular immunity before reaching risky CD4 levels and developing Ols. Introduction of ART has marked effect on the clinical manifestations and responses to treatment of 0ls. There is a clear association between specific opportunistic infections and shortened survival in patients with HIV infection. Prevention and treatment of opportunistic infection in HIV patients is significantly reducing the mortality among HIV patients The CD4 cell count remains the most important predictor of risk of 0ls.