Nosocomial Infections in HIV-Positive Patients: An Overview

Nosocomial infections (NIs) constitute a significant public health problem and contribute to prolonged hospitalization, additional healthcare costs and excess morbidity and mortality. NIs appear to be more common in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as a result of some degree of immunosuppression, prior antiobiotics treatment and greater exposure to invasive devices such as indwelling intravenous catheters. The objective of this article is to give an insight into the main NIs occurring in HIV-infected patients. Literature pertaining to NIs in HIV-infected patients was reviewed. According to the leading studies in the literature, the incidence of NI ranges from 7.9 to 15 per 100 admissions. Bloodstream infections are the most frequent infections, mainly due to intravascular catheters, followed by urinary and respiratory tract infections. Colonization seems to have an important role in the development of NIs among this immunocompromised population. Clinicians need to be aware of the risk of NIs in HIV-infected patients, and must always take these infections into account in their overall management.