Pulmonary infection in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in Taiwan
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
99
Journal Issue
2
Pages
123-127
Date Issued
2000
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the pathogens causing pulmonary infection in 272 HIV-infected patients admitted to a university hospital from January 1993 through December 1998. Results: A total of 158 (58%) patients had pulmonary complications, all but two of whom had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There were 156 episodes of pulmonary infection, involving 124 patients. The most common pulmonary infection was Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP): 66 patients had 77 episodes of PCP, all of which occurred in patients with CD4+ lymphocyte counts below 0.2 x 109/L (200/μL). Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), diagnosed in 47 patients, was the second most common pulmonary infection. Twenty TB patients had open TB. HIV- infected patients who were immigrants from Southeast Asia (9/23, 39%) had a higher risk of developing pulmonary TB than nonimmigrants (38/249, 15%) (p = 0.004). Only one of 17 episodes of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia was caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Less common opportunistic pulmonary pathogens included cytomegalovirus (5 cases), Aspergillus species (3), Cryptococcus neoformans (3), Mycobacterium avium complex (2), Penicillium marneffei (1), Nocardia species (1), and Rhodococcus equi (1). Conclusions: PCP and pulmonary TB are the two leading pulmonary infections in Taiwanese HIV/AIDS patients. These findings should be taken into consideration when developing management strategies and public health policies.
SDGs
Other Subjects
acquired immune deficiency syndrome; adult; aged; article; Aspergillus; Cryptococcus neoformans; Cytomegalovirus; female; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; lung disease; lung infection; lymphocyte count; major clinical study; male; morbidity; mortality; Mycobacterium avium; Penicillium marneffei; Pneumocystis pneumonia; Rhodococcus; Streptococcus pneumoniae; tuberculosis; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Retrospective Studies; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
Type
journal article