OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS IN HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS – A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE
Keywords:
HIV, AIDS, opportunistic infections, candidiasis, toxoplasmosisAbstract
(acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a late presentation of an infection with HIV. It is characterized
by a clinical picture of various opportunistic infections and a decreasing number of CD4+ T lymphocytes.
Opportunistic infections are diseases caused by microorganisms, which significantly more often affect
immunocompromised people. GOAL Describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of HIV- positive
individuals with one or more opportunistic infections. To examine the frequency and prevalence of the most
common opportunistic infections in patients with HIV infection who are on HAART and who are older than 45
years, compared to those who are younger than 45 years. A retrospective, comparative, clinical study was conducted
that included hospitalized HIV-positive patients in the period from 1/1/2018 to 31/12/2022 at the Clinic for
Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Out of a total of
50 patients in the sample, there were 42 men (84%) and 8 women (16%). 58% of patients were under 45 years of
age, and 42% were over 45 years of age. The most prevalent infection was candidiasis 32%. A significant
difference in the number of people with toxoplasmosis over the age of 45 with more cases, compared to the group of
patients under the age of 45, was proven. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of tuberculosis and
Pneumocystis pneumoniae infection between the two age groups of patients. Continuous control examinations allow
easier and faster identification of opportunistic infections, even before the infection gives changed clinical
parameters.
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