scholarly journals Chronic Cystoisospora belli infection in a Colombian patient living with HIV and poor adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy

Biomédica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supl. 1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Ana Luz Galván-Díaz ◽  
Juan Carlos Alzate ◽  
Esteban Villegas ◽  
Sofía Giraldo ◽  
Jorge Botero ◽  
...  

Cystoisospora belli is an intestinal Apicomplexan parasite associated with diarrheal illness and disseminated infections in humans, mainly immunocompromised individuals such as those living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). An irregular administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV patients may increase the risk of opportunistic infections like cystoisosporiasis.We describe here a case of C. belli infection in a Colombian HIV patient with chronic gastrointestinal syndrome and poor adherence to HAART. His clinical and parasitological cure was achieved with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment. Although a reduction in the number of C. belli cases has been observed since the use of HAART, this parasite still has to be considered as a differential diagnosis of diarrheal disease in HIV/AIDS patients.Effective interventions enhancing adherence to HAART should be included in HIV patient care programs.

2000 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 515-532
Author(s):  
Aimee F. Ansari ◽  
Joseph V. Etzel

The widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has had a significant impact on reducing the incidence of opportunistic infections in patients with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and reducing the overall morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. However, the use of HAART is often associated with adverse effects, significant drug interactions, high cost and the emergence of viral resistance in a significant percentage of treatment recipients. In addition, the clinical efficacy of HAART in terms of viral eradication appears to be limited due to the presence of reservoirs of latent virus within HAART-experienced patients. Because of these and other limitations associated with antiretroviral therapies, new therapeutic strategies are being developed to restore the normal function of the immune system and improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this article is to review some of the more promising investigational immune-based therapies and their potential role in the management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection.


Author(s):  
Marta L. Wayne ◽  
Benjamin M. Bolker

HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Its transmission is by exchange of bodily fluids. HIV can only enter immune cells with the surface protein gp120. The virus can hide in these cells for many years before it is activated, although it can be transmitted throughout this period. Once activated, the virus begins to replicate, ultimately causing the immune system of the infected person to collapse making them vulnerable to opportunistic infections. ‘HIV’ describes how evolutionary biology has been used to clarify the origins of the epidemic. The rapid mutation rates and recombination that make HIV very hard to treat are also explained. Despite these challenges, a regimen of highly active anti-retroviral therapies (HAART), developed in the mid 1990s, is extraordinarily effective against HIV.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Bety Yañez

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is the treatment of choice for human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS) patients. Severe side effects of these drugs have been described that produce generalized autoimmune blistering diseases, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN). These complications may seriously compromise the patient’s life or cause disabling consequences such as blindness. We describe a case of 21-year old female HIV patient with a CD4 count of 126 cells/microliter. Ten days post elective caesarean delivery she restarted HAART with nevirapine and developed TEN after approximately two weeks. Nevirapine was discontinued, but despite this, ocular surface disorder persisted. She presented severe bilateral keratoconjunctivitis that was treated with free tear substitutes, moxifloxacyn, and prednisolone acethate eye drops. At 2-month follow up her visual acuity without correction was 20/160 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left. She had bilateral moderate cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis and a central corneal leukoma in the right eye. Early treatment is important and should consist of preservative-free lubricants, and amniotic membrane transplantation to decrease the frequency of severe sequelae such as keratitis and corneal leukomas that will reduce the quality of life for these patients.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document