Opportunistic Infections: Major New Report
A 175-page in-depth report on opportunistic infections and their treatment today was released February 1 at the Retroviruses conference by the Treatment Action Group (TAG). The OI Report: A Critical Review of the Treatment & Prophylaxis of HIV-Related Opportunistic Infections Version 2.0, by Michael Marco and many others, completely updates TAG's earlier report published a year ago.Infections covered in the new report include herpes simplex, varicella zoster, cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, CMV-associated neurological disorders, PML, tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), bacterial pneumonias, sinusitis, gastrointestinal bacterial infections, cryptococcal meningitis, Candida and other fungal infections, cryptosporidiosis, microsporidiosis, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), and toxoplasmosis; each section has extensive references, and discussion of major clinical trials when relevant. Other topics include the effect of protease inhibitor antiretroviral treatment on opportunistic infections, and research and policy recommendations.
"The most important message that could be delivered is the need for identification of persons at risk, so that PCP prophylaxis can be administered. The marked reduction in morbidity with this simple intervention is still one of the major advances in the care of HIV infected patients, and the continued high incidence of PCP in patients not previously known to be HIV infected tells us that we are not effectively reaching this group." Peter Frame, M.D., quoted on the inside cover page.
You can obtain a copy from the Treatment Action Group, 200 East 10th St. #601, New York, NY 10003, phone 212-260-0300, fax 212-260-8561. A $10 donation is requested to cover distribution costs.
