Abstract
Respiratory illness is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The spectrum of pulmonary disease that can affect
patients with HIV is wide and includes opportunistic infection with many fungal, viral,
and parasitic organisms. This article reviews the clinical presentation; approach
to diagnosis; and management of fungal, viral, and parasitic pneumonias that can develop
in patients with HIV including respiratory disease caused by Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Coccidioides, Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasma, and Strongyloides. Because clinical symptoms and radiographic patterns are often insensitive at distinguishing
these pulmonary infections, this review particularly focuses on specific host risk
factors and diagnostic testing to consider when approaching HIV patients with respiratory
illness.
Keywords
opportunistic infection - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - aspergillosis - Cryptococcus
- histoplasmosis - coccidioidomycosis - cytomegalovirus -
Strongyloides
- toxoplasmosis
