AI Article Synopsis
- New antiretroviral agents and prophylaxis schedules have improved survival and quality of life for HIV-infected patients, leading to significant changes in the occurrence of opportunistic infections.
- Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) used to affect 12-80% of HIV-infected children, leading to high mortality rates, but the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced these cases.
- Despite these advancements, many patients in developing countries still lack access to ART, which puts them at greater risk for opportunistic infections like PCP, particularly impacting their life expectancy.
Article Abstract
Introduction of new antiretroviral agents and development of new prophylaxis schedules against opportunistic microorganisms have allowed increase in survival as well as better quality of life in HIV-infected patients. These new treatment schedules have changed the epidemiology of opportunistic infections that previous to use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), formerly occurred with high frequency in HIV-infected children. Specifically, pneumonia due to Pneumocystis carinii formerly occurred in 12 to 80% of these patients and was associated with high mortality. Currently, with use of combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prophylactic treatments important reduction of PCP has been observed. However, despite these benefits ART is not yet available for many patients from several developing countries who are at risk for opportunistic infections, mainly due to Pneumocystis carinii, which can affect life expectancy. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was a review of epidemiologic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of P. carinii pneumonia in HIV-infected children.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!