title: Bloodstream infections in HIV-infected patients.
abstract: In the combined antiretroviral therapy era, HIV-infected patients remain a vulnerable population for the onset of bloodstream infections (BSI). Worldwide, nontyphoid salmonellae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci are the most important pathogens. Intravenous catheter associated infection, skin-soft tissue infection and endocarditis are associated with Gram-positive bacteremia. Among the Gram-negative, nontyphoidal Salmonella have been previously correlated to sepsis. Other causes of BSI in HIV-infected patients are mycobacteria and fungi. Mycobacteria constitute a major cause of BSI in limited resource countries. Fungal BSI are not frequent and among them Cryptococcus neoformans is the most common life-threatening infection. The degree of immunosuppression remains the key prognostic factor leading to the development of BSI.
authors.affiliation: a Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taramasso
authors.affiliation: a Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tatarelli
authors.affiliation: a Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Biagio
mesh_terms: D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D016469:Fungemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009159:Mycobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification
keywords: AIDS; BSI; Gram negative; Gram positive; HIV; bacteriemia; bloodstream infection; fungemia; mycobacteria; sepsis