HIV – positive patient with a viral load of 750.000 copies of HIV RNA/ml and a total CD4 count of 50 is at an increased risk for a number of infectious diseases. For which of the following diseases the paitent has no added risk than an immune complete host?
A. Pneumocystic pneumonia
B. Mycobacterial diseas
C. Kaposi’s sarcomad.
D. Pneumococcal pneumonia
The answer is: D
A low CD4 count does not predict
progression to AIDS but does indicate increased chance of opportunistic
infection such as those listed. Kaposi’s sarcoma, which has been linked to
herpesvirustyp 8, pneumocystis, and mycobacterial disease are three of the most
prevalent opportunistic infections.
While HIV-positive patients contract pneumococcal pneumonia, they are
probably at no more risk than the general population, as protection against
pneumococcal disease is linked to the presence of anticapsular antibody.
