Recent Advances in the Management of AIDS-related Opportunistic Infections

1 June 1994 | Volume 120 Issue 11 | Pages 945-955

Secondary infections remain the leading cause of death in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).Dealing with the rapidly evolving spectrum of infectious problems seen in patients with AIDS requires knowledge of current therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Through an extensive preclinical trials network supported by both industry and government, an increasing number of new agents are being identified and rapidly moved into clinical trials. Several agents are now available to treat diseases caused by Pneumocystis carinii, and corticosteroids have become a useful adjunct to antimicrobial agents in the treatment of P. carinii pneumonia. Although the treatment of toxoplasmosis remains a challenge, alternatives to sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine are now available. Mycobacterial infections, particularly with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have become an increasing problem for patients with AIDS, and both old and new combination drug regimens are being used. Cytomegalovirus disease, until recently an untreatable problem, can now at least be partially managed with antiviral agents. The use of more complete prophylactic regimens may decrease the morbidity and mortality from opportunistic infections.

Author and Article Information

An updated edited summary of a Combined Clinical Staff Conference held 26 February 1992 at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
Authors who wish to cite a section of the conference and specifically indicate its author may use this example for the form of reference:
Laughon BE. Preclinical evaluation of candidate therapeutic agents, pp 945-946. In: Lane HC, moderator. Recent advances in the management of AIDS-related opportunistic infections. Ann Intern Med. 1994; 120:945-955.
Requests for Reprints: H. Clifford Lane, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 11B09, Bethesda, MD 20892.