HIV-associated opportunistic infections: Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections are the most common opportunistic infections in HIV. Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence of these infections is on the decline. However, globally there is a significant lack of access to care among HIV patients because of limited drug availability and cost of treatment. Furthermore, noncompliance and drug resistance can hinder viral suppression, predisposing patients to opportunistic infections. We review the major bacterial opportunistic infections in HIV positive patients including tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex infections, syphilis, bacterial enteric disease, bacterial pneumonia and bartonellosis. Epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis are also reviewed.