Virus infections in patients with AIDS.
Virus infections are common in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Viruses can have two distinct relationships with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); they can be opportunists if the second virus takes advantage of decreased immune function in the host or they can act as co-factors to accelerate the rate at which AIDS develops. Viruses acting as opportunists may cause no symptoms or may be life-threatening. Several, including herpes simplex, varicella zoster, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, can be treated with antiviral agents. Before concluding that a virus can act as a co-factor for HIV, several other possible relationships must be excluded including opportunism, co-parameters of lifestyle and prognostic markers. Studies in vitro may suggest which viruses are potential co-factors but clear evidence can come only from carefully defined cohorts of patients. Recent evidence showing that cytomegalovirus can meet these criteria is presented.
Department of Virology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Hampstead, London, UK.
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Griffiths
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications*