- "An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses) that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available."
Infections that take advantage of a weakened immune system, such as pneumonia in HIV/AIDS patients.
Immune System Basics: Understanding the immune system structures and processes that protect and defend the body against infections.
Microbial Pathogenesis: The mechanisms by which different microorganisms cause infections in human beings.
Microbial Ecology: Understanding how microbial populations interact with each other and with the host to cause opportunistic infections.
Host-Microbe Interactions: The complex relationships between microorganisms and their hosts.
Infectious Disease Agents: Overview of the different types of pathogenic agents that can cause opportunistic infections.
Diagnostic Methods: Approaches and methods for diagnosing opportunistic infections.
Antimicrobial Therapy: Different antimicrobial agents that can be used to treat various types of opportunistic infections.
Prophylaxis: Prevention of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised or other high-risk individuals.
Immunodeficiency Syndromes: Overview of different disorders caused by immune system malfunction such as AIDS, lymphoma, leukemia, and other blood disorders.
Opportunistic Diseases in HIV/AIDS: A comprehensive overview of opportunistic diseases that can result from HIV/AIDS.
Respiratory Infections: Overview of infections of the lungs and airways caused by opportunistic microorganisms.
Gastrointestinal Diseases: Overview of gastrointestinal infections caused by opportunistic pathogens.
Urinary Tract Infections: Understanding of infections of the urinary tract caused by opportunistic pathogens.
Neurological Infections: A comprehensive study of infections affecting the central nervous system caused by different opportunistic pathogens.
Infection Control: Strategies for reducing the spread of opportunistic infections among healthcare facilities and communities.
Candidiasis: Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida species that mainly affects the mucous membranes and can lead to various localized or systemic infections.
Cryptococcosis: Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii, primarily affecting the lungs and central nervous system in immunocompromised individuals.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a viral infection caused by the cytomegalovirus that primarily affects people with weakened immune systems, leading to various symptoms and potentially life-threatening complications.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV): Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common sexually transmitted infection causing recurrent genital or oral lesions and occasionally serious conditions such as neonatal herpes or herpes encephalitis.
Histoplasmosis: Histoplasmosis is a potentially fatal respiratory infection caused by inhalation of fungal spores found in bird and bat droppings, particularly in areas with high nitrogen content soil.
Isosporiasis: Isosporiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Isospora, typically affecting the gastrointestinal tract and causing diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals.
Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS): Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a rare type of cancer that causes abnormal growth of blood vessels and develops as a result of a viral infection, often seen in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS.
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is a chronic and progressive bacterial infection primarily affecting individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, causing symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP): Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a severe lung infection primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals, commonly seen in people with weakened immune systems such as those with HIV/AIDS.
Toxoplasmosis: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, commonly found in cats, which can cause flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals but can be severe or even life-threatening in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Tuberculosis (TB): Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs, causing symptoms such as persistent cough, fever, and weight loss.
Invasive Aspergillosis: Invasive Aspergillosis is a severe fungal infection caused by the Aspergillus species that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals, posing a life-threatening risk if left untreated.
Legionnaires' disease: Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, commonly associated with water systems and can be fatal in susceptible individuals.
Non-Tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) infection: Non-Tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) infection is a type of bacterial infection caused by various species of mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis, typically affecting individuals with compromised immune systems.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare and often fatal viral infection that attacks the white matter of the brain, primarily affecting individuals with weakened immune systems such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.
Salmonellosis: Salmonellosis is an infectious disease caused by Salmonella bacteria, primarily transmitted through contaminated food or water, resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting.
Staphylococcus aureus infection: Staphylococcus aureus infection is a bacterial infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that can affect various body parts and is often characterized by skin abscesses, wound infections, and respiratory or bloodstream infections.
Streptococcus pneumoniae: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for causing a range of opportunistic infections, including pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media, primarily affecting individuals with weakened immune systems.
Viral Hepatitis: Viral hepatitis refers to a group of infectious diseases characterized by inflammation of the liver caused by various types of viral infections.
Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL): Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening parasitic disease that affects internal organs, causing fever, weight loss, enlarged spleen and liver, and if left untreated, can be fatal.
Cryptosporidiosis: Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic infection caused by Cryptosporidium, leading to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms in immunocompromised individuals.
Chagas disease.: Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected triatomine insects, leading to chronic symptoms that can affect the heart and gastrointestinal system.
- "These opportunities can stem from a variety of sources, such as a weakened immune system, an altered microbiome, or breached integumentary barriers."
- "These opportunities can stem from... a weakened immune system (as can occur in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or when being treated with immunosuppressive drugs, as in cancer treatment)."
- "These opportunities can stem from... an altered microbiome (such as a disruption in gut microbiota)."
- "These opportunities can stem from... breached integumentary barriers (as in penetrating trauma)."
- "Many of these pathogens do not necessarily cause disease in a healthy host that has a non-compromised immune system, and can, in some cases, act as commensals until the balance of the immune system is disrupted."
- "Weakened immune system (as can occur in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or when being treated with immunosuppressive drugs, as in cancer treatment)."
- "An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses) that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available."
- "These opportunities can stem from... an altered microbiome (such as a disruption in gut microbiota)."
- "Many of these pathogens... can... act as commensals until the balance of the immune system is disrupted."
- "These opportunities can stem from... breached integumentary barriers (as in penetrating trauma)."
- "Many of these pathogens do not necessarily cause disease in a healthy host that has a non-compromised immune system."
- "Weakened immune system (as can occur in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or when being treated with immunosuppressive drugs, as in cancer treatment)."
- "An altered microbiome (such as a disruption in gut microbiota)."
- "An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses) that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available."
- "Weakened immune system (as can occur... when being treated with immunosuppressive drugs, as in cancer treatment)."
- "Many of these pathogens... can, in some cases, act as commensals until the balance of the immune system is disrupted."
- "An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses) that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available."
- "Opportunistic infections can also be attributed to pathogens which cause mild illness in healthy individuals but lead to more serious illness when given the opportunity to take advantage of an immunocompromised host."
- "Weakened immune system (as can occur... when being treated with immunosuppressive drugs, as in cancer treatment)."