Opportunistic Infections in HIV/AIDS Any patient with a CD4 count <200 (or who develops any of these infections) will be considered to be in the state of AIDS. CD4 Count (per uL) Opportunistic Infection <500 Thrush, Tuberculosis activation, Kaposi sarcoma…
Overview Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). It is one of the few pulmonary infections that can disseminate to other organs if not treated (or contained). It is spread by airborne particles which may be expelled through coughing,…
Pneumonia Pneumonia is a generalized infection of the lung parenchyma Bottom Line Treatment for Pneumonia Type of Pneumonia Treatment Alternative Community-acquired (CAP) 3rd Generation Cephalosporin + Macrolide Fluoroquinolone Hospital-acquired (HAP) Vancomycin + Piperacillin/Tazobactam HIV/AIDS TMP-SMX + Steroids + Cover for…
Pulmonary abscess A pulmonary abscess is a focal, contained infection of the lung parenchyma. Key symptoms include fever, cough, and sputum. Requires a chest X-ray for diagnosis.
Acute bronchitis Infection and inflammation of the bronchi (upper airways). Key symptoms include fever, sputum, and cough. A chest X-ray is needed to rule out pneumonia. Treatment is optional, especially if the case is mild. Chronic bronchitis An exacerbation of…
Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan that takes refuge in the brain mucosa. Causes symptoms similar to a brain abscess due to multiple space-occupying lesions.
Rabies Rabies is caused by the Rabies virus (genus Lyssavirus), which commonly inhabits the salivary glands and brain. It is spread through bites or licks on injured tissue, typically from infected animals (dogs, bats, etc.). Rabies has an unpredictable incubation…
Cryptococcal Meningitis Cryptococcal menigitis is an invasive fungal infection of the central nervous system caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gatti. It is common in immunocompromised patients and presents as a “meningoencephalitis” rather than a pure meningitis since brain parenchyma…
TB Meningitis CNS tuberculosis can occur as meningitis (the most common form), intracranial tuberculomas or spinal tuberculous arachnoiditis. It usually occurs following dissemination after primary infection (in children and young adults) or during reactivation as part of miliary TB. The…
Cerebral abscess A cerebral abscess is a focal collection of pus within the brain parenchyma (a big pus tumour). Abscesses may occur in single or multiple sites, and the site of collection correlates with the sourc eof infection. Initial infection…