Pneumococcal infections in HIV infected adults--clinical features, reasons behind the association and future hopes for prevention.
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most important bacterial cause of pneumonia and meningitis among adults world wide. It is a particularly common cause of these infections and also bacteraemia among HIV infected adults with rates of disease increasing to more than 100 times the normal as HIV infection progresses to AIDS. This article briefly describes the common presentations and outcomes of pneumococcal disease (PD) in HIV infected adult inpatients in Malawi. Factors underlying susceptibility to pneumococcal infection in HIV infected adults are then reviewed, along with the effectiveness of current vaccines. Finally, novel approaches that will be needed to combat PD in HIV afflicted parts of the world are suggested.
Gordon
Stephen
S
Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme of Clinical Tropical Research, Universities of Malawi and Liverpool (UK), PO Box 30096, Blantyre, Malawi. sgordon@mlw.medcol.mw
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines