Antiretroviral therapy in Hiv

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART] has led to a significant decline in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality. Despite these recent advances, the majority of patients with HIV/AIDS worldwide are still lacking access to treatment. To date, there are 21 approved antiretrovirals divided into four categories based on their mechanism of action. We review the basic characteristic of these antiretrovirals. We also briefly discuss current guidelines regarding the use of antiretrovirals in general as well as in special populations such as in pregnant women, in occupational exposure and non occupational exposure

Hiv-associated opportunistic infections Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections are the most common opportunistic infections in HIV. Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART], the incidence of these infections is on the decline. However, globally there is a significant lack of access to care among HIV patients because of limited drug availability and cost of treatment. Furthermore, noncompliance and drug resistance can hinder viral suppression, predisposing patients to opportunistic infections. We review the major bacterial opportunistic infections in HIV positive patients including tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex infections, syphilis, bacterial enteric disease, bacterial pneumonia and bartonellosis. Epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis are also reviewed

Viral opportunistic infections in Hiv-infected adults

Despite the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART], opportunistic infections continue to be seen in HIV-infected patients throughout the world. The primary reason for this is the lack of access to HAART for most people living with HIV/AIDS. For patients that have access to HAART, some may not have an effective response to therapy, due to reasons such as medication toxicity, poor adherence, or drug-resistant strains of HIV. Viral infections, in particular, are a major cause of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected adults, and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We have reviewed the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common viral opportunistic infections, including cytomegalovirus, JC virus, varicella-zoster virus, herpes simple virus, and human papillomavirus