Abstract

Aim: To detect the opportunistic infections (OIs) and level of immune suppression in HIV sero positive patients in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Material and methods: Study was conducted in the department of Microbiology, Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, referral center for HIV diagnosis and treatment by NACO. Study period 27 months, January 2011 to April 2013. Clinical specimen include stool, sputum, CSF, lymph node aspiration, swabs from oral cavity, blood were collected from 178 confirmed HIV seropositive individuals. Results: Male female ratio was 1.41: 1. More number of HIV positive cases were seen in the age group of 31- 40 years (34%) and fever (72%) is the common clinical symptom. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (51%) was most commonly isolated pathogen, followed by Candida (39%), Cryptosporidium parvum (24%) with mean CD4 counts 231, 160 and 72 cells / #xF06D;l respectively. Poly microbial infections were seen in 34% of the study volunteers. Conclusion: OIs are the major cause of mortality and morbidity in HIV positive patients. So early and correct diagnosis of OIs is required for proper disease management.