title: Prevalence of opportunistic infections in HIV-positive patients in Bahrain: a four-year review (2009-2013).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to examine the prevalence of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients in Bahrain and its relation to absolute CD4 count, CD4%, and CD4/CD8 ratio.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective cohort study used laboratory records (January 2009 - May 2013) from a major hospital in Bahrain. Opportunistic infections (OIs); absolute CD4 counts, CD4%, and CD4/CD8 ratio were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CD4% and absolute CD4 count in HIV patients with associated infections (157 ± 295) was significantly lower than in those without associated infections (471 ± 285) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in CD4/CD8 ratio between the two groups. Infection with Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest infection, present in 9.8% of total HIV-infected patients and 28.7% of members of the AIDS patient group with OIs, followed by yeast infections (9.2% and 27.2%, respectively). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was present in 3.6% of total HIV-infected patients and 10.6% of the group with OIs, while mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) was present in 2.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) was observed in 5.1% and 15.1%, respectively. Herpes simplex II (HSV-II) was observed in 3% and 9%, respectively, while Cytomegalovirus antigenemia was only present in 2% and 6%, respectively. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus milleri, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Citrobacter species were bacterial infections observed least frequently.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studying the pattern of OIs in HIV-infected patients in Bahrain is of paramount importance due to the scarcity of data in the Arab world. This will help to improve physicians' awareness to improve care of HIV-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: Salmaniya Medical Complex, Alsalmaniya, Manama, Bahrein. nkamalh@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nermin K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: Eman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Farid
authors.forename: Afaf E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Jamsheer
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001445:Bahrain / Q000453:epidemiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult