Subject(s)
Herpes Simplex/complications , Herpes Simplex/diagnosis , Pleurisy/virology , Scleroderma, Systemic/complications , Acyclovir/therapeutic use , Aged , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Female , Herpes Simplex/drug therapy , Herpes Simplex/immunology , Humans , Immunocompromised Host , Pleurisy/drug therapy , Pleurisy/immunologyABSTRACT
The lungs are at considerable risk from the use of injected or inhaled illicit drugs. The extent and clinical significance of illicit drug induced lung damage is not known completely. Drug use leads to an increase in infectious pulmonary disease, historically in relation to nonsterile injection techniques, and, more recently, in relation to HIV infection and its pulmonary manifestations. Barotrauma related to "smoking topography" or errant injections also represents a real risk of drug use. Although granulomatous disease that involves the pulmonary vasculature and interstitium is probably common in injection drug users, the clinical consequence of such is difficult to estimate. What effect smoked or injected illicit drugs have on short- and long-term pulmonary function also is hard to ascertain. The ubiquitous use of tobacco among users of illicit drugs certainly has confounding effects. Given that illicit drug use is common and that the "popular" drugs of abuse change from generation to generation, the pulmonary physician must remain informed about, and alert for, the effects of drugs of abuse.
Subject(s)
Lung Diseases/chemically induced , Lung/drug effects , Substance-Related Disorders/complications , Cocaine-Related Disorders/complications , Heroin Dependence/complications , Humans , Marijuana Smoking/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Antimicrobial prophylaxis and highly active antiretroviral therapy have changed the epidemiology and impact of pulmonary infection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, pulmonary infection remains a significant contributor to the morbidity and mortality of such patients. Bacterial pneumonia and tuberculosis remain common lung infections in this setting, especially where appropriate prophylaxis is unavailable or when compliance with such therapy is poor. Pneumonia related to Pneumocystis carinii also remains a significant problem, especially as a presenting illness in patients not yet known to be infected with HIV. Recrudescence of "treated" infection as a manifestation of the immune reconstitution syndrome may become more commonly encountered as more patients are treated with highly active therapy.
