14th ICID - Poster Abstracts - International Society for Infectious ...

When citing these abstracts please use the following reference:
Author(s) of abstract. Title of abstract [abstract]. Int J Infect Dis 2010;14S1: Abstract number.
Please note that the official publication of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2010, Volume 14, Supplement 1
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Final Abstract Number: 78.008
Session: HIV: Opportunistic Infections & Malignancies
Date: Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 12:30-13:30
Room: Poster & Exhibition Area/Ground Level
Type: Poster Presentation
HIV and opportunistic infections in a western hospital of Venezuela, 2007-2009
A. Herrera-Martínez 1 , Y. Herrera 1 , A. M. Pineda 2
1 Hospital Central Antonio María Pineda, Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela, 2 Hospital Central
Antonio María Pineda, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Background: Numerous opportunistic infections occur in HIV infected patients, particularly in
those without access to antiretroviral therapy. In Venezuela it is known a high relationship
between TB, PJP and candidiasis in HIV infected patients.
Methods: We describe epidemiology, diagnosis and clinical features in HIV infected patients
admitted to the Central Hospital of Barquisimeto, Western Venezuela, from January 2007 to
September 2009. Monthly records of confirmed HIV cases from the epidemiological archives
were collected. Only patients with opportunistic infections were selected. All the clinical relevant
variables were considered in this analysis.
Results: A total of 228 patients with HIV infection were treated in this medical center during the
study period; Forty three (84%) were male; mean age was 36 years 51 (22%) had associated
opportunistic infections.; Most cases due to sexual transmission (96%), 56% were heterosexual,
75% promiscuous, with a mean of four couples, beginning sexual relations at 17 years old.
Fourteen (27%) patients had previous HIV diagnosis, with a mean of 25 months, just 8 (15%)
were receiving treatment; 2/51 (4%) also had other sexual transmission diseases. Most common
presented symptoms were fever 21/51 (41%), cough 19/51 (37%), weight loss, vomits and
dyspnea had also an important incidence among others. Half patients had anemia. Pneumonia
was the most common diagnosis 23/51 (45%), 65% caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii; followed
by wasting syndrome 18/51 (35%), candidiasis (mucocutaneous, tracheal, esophagic),
pancytopenia 14/51 (27%), and chronic diarrhea 11/51 (21%) among other diagnosis. TB had a
low incidence during the study period (11%). Patients, in which lymphocytic count was available,
had a CD4 count mean of 168 cells/mm3 and CD8 count of 813 cells/mm3 and a viral load of
62,913 copies/mm3 log 3.06. CFR was 15%.
Conclusion: A significant incidence of pneumonia due to Pneumocystis jirovecii was observed.
Since the introduction of HAART in Venezuela, a considerable reduction of opportunistic
infections was observed but HIV diagnosis usually occurs after opportunistic infections
presentation, then, proper diagnosis and prevention campaigns are for outmost important not only
in Venezuela, also in other developing countries in order to reduce the incidence of complications
and to increase the quality of life of HIV infected patients.