Bacterial respiratory infections complicating human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

Opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections of the lower respiratory tract, most commonly those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Pneumocystis jirovecii, remain the major causes of mortality in those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Bacterial respiratory pathogens most prevalent in those infected with HIV, other than M. tuberculosis, represent the primary focus of the current review with particular emphasis on the pneumococcus, the leading cause of mortality due to HIV infection in the developed world. Additional themes include: i) risk factors; ii) the predisposing effects of HIV-mediated suppression on pulmonary host defenses, possibly intensified by smoking; iii) clinical and laboratory diagnosis, encompassing assessment of disease severity and outcome; and iv) antibiotic therapy. The final section addresses current recommendations with respect to pneumococcal immunization in the context of HIV infection, including an overview of the rationale underpinning the current “prime-boost” immunization strategy based on sequential administration of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 (PCV13) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 23 (PPV23).