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Opportunistic infection
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Opportunistic infection
An opportunistic infection is an infection that occurs most commonly in individuals with an immunodeficiency disorder and acts more severely on those with a weakened immune system. These types of infections are considered serious and can be caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Under normal conditions, such as in humans with uncompromised immune systems, an opportunistic infection would be less likely to cause significant harm and would typically result in a mild infection or no effect at all. These opportunistic infections can stem from a variety of sources, such as a weakened immune system (caused by human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), when being treated with immunosuppressive drugs (as in cancer treatment), when a microbiome is altered (such as a disruption in gut microbiota), or when integumentary barriers are breached (as in penetrating trauma). Opportunistic infections can contribute to antimicrobial resistance in an individual making these infections more severe. Some pathogens that cause these infections possess intrinsic resistance (natural resistance) to many antibiotics while others acquire resistance over time through mutations or horizontal gene transfer. Many of these pathogens, such as the bacterium Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), can be present in hosts with uncompromised immune systems without generating any symptoms, and can, in some cases, act as commensals until the balance of the immune system is disrupted. With C. diff and many other pathogens, the overuse or misuse of antibiotics can cause the disruption of normal microbiota and lead to an opportunistic infection caused by antibiotic resistant pathogens. In some cases, opportunistic infections can be labeled as a hospital-acquired infection due to individuals contracting them within a healthcare/hospital setting. In terms of history, there is not one individual that can be attributed for discovering opportunistic infections. Over time and through medical advancement, there have been many scientists that have contributed to the study and treatment options for patients affected by these infections.
Opportunistic infections can be caused by a wide variety of different types of pathogens. These infections can be caused by viral, bacterial, fungal, as well as parasitic pathogens.
A partial list of opportunistic pathogens and their associated effects are as follows:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that targets the CD4 cells (a type of white blood cell) within the body's immune system. CD4 counts within a non-affected immune system would range anywhere from 500-1500 cells per cubic millimeter of blood, while an affected immune system would show cell counts below 200. HIV infection can lead to progressively worsening immunodeficiency, a condition ideal for the development of opportunistic infection. As HIV worsens over time, the term AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has been used to describe the condition and extensive damage to the immune system as well as the onset and susceptibility to other illnesses. The onset of AIDS leads to respiratory and central nervous system opportunistic infections, including but not limited to pneumonia, tuberculosis and meningitis. Kaposi's sarcoma, a virally associated cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are two types of cancers that are generally defined as AIDS malignancies. As immune function declines and HIV-infection progresses to AIDS, individuals are at an increased risk of opportunistic infections that their immune systems are no longer capable of responding properly to. Because of this, opportunistic infections are a leading cause of HIV/AIDS-related deaths.
Immunodeficiency is characterized by the absence of or the disruption in components of the immune system such as white blood cells (e.g. lymphocytes, phagocytes, etc.). These disruptions cause a decrease in immune function and result in an overall reduction of immunity against pathogens.
They can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Since opportunistic infections can cause severe disease, much emphasis is placed on measures to prevent infection. Such a strategy usually includes restoration of the immune system as soon as possible, avoiding exposures to infectious agents, and using antimicrobial medications ("prophylactic medications") directed against specific infections.
Individuals at higher risk for opportunistic infections are often prescribed prophylactic medication to prevent an infection from occurring. A person's risk level for developing an opportunistic infection is approximated using the person's CD4 T-cell count and other indicators such as current medical treatments, age, and lifestyle choices. The table below provides information regarding the treatment management of common opportunistic infections.
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Opportunistic infection
An opportunistic infection is an infection that occurs most commonly in individuals with an immunodeficiency disorder and acts more severely on those with a weakened immune system. These types of infections are considered serious and can be caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Under normal conditions, such as in humans with uncompromised immune systems, an opportunistic infection would be less likely to cause significant harm and would typically result in a mild infection or no effect at all. These opportunistic infections can stem from a variety of sources, such as a weakened immune system (caused by human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), when being treated with immunosuppressive drugs (as in cancer treatment), when a microbiome is altered (such as a disruption in gut microbiota), or when integumentary barriers are breached (as in penetrating trauma). Opportunistic infections can contribute to antimicrobial resistance in an individual making these infections more severe. Some pathogens that cause these infections possess intrinsic resistance (natural resistance) to many antibiotics while others acquire resistance over time through mutations or horizontal gene transfer. Many of these pathogens, such as the bacterium Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), can be present in hosts with uncompromised immune systems without generating any symptoms, and can, in some cases, act as commensals until the balance of the immune system is disrupted. With C. diff and many other pathogens, the overuse or misuse of antibiotics can cause the disruption of normal microbiota and lead to an opportunistic infection caused by antibiotic resistant pathogens. In some cases, opportunistic infections can be labeled as a hospital-acquired infection due to individuals contracting them within a healthcare/hospital setting. In terms of history, there is not one individual that can be attributed for discovering opportunistic infections. Over time and through medical advancement, there have been many scientists that have contributed to the study and treatment options for patients affected by these infections.
Opportunistic infections can be caused by a wide variety of different types of pathogens. These infections can be caused by viral, bacterial, fungal, as well as parasitic pathogens.
A partial list of opportunistic pathogens and their associated effects are as follows:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that targets the CD4 cells (a type of white blood cell) within the body's immune system. CD4 counts within a non-affected immune system would range anywhere from 500-1500 cells per cubic millimeter of blood, while an affected immune system would show cell counts below 200. HIV infection can lead to progressively worsening immunodeficiency, a condition ideal for the development of opportunistic infection. As HIV worsens over time, the term AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has been used to describe the condition and extensive damage to the immune system as well as the onset and susceptibility to other illnesses. The onset of AIDS leads to respiratory and central nervous system opportunistic infections, including but not limited to pneumonia, tuberculosis and meningitis. Kaposi's sarcoma, a virally associated cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are two types of cancers that are generally defined as AIDS malignancies. As immune function declines and HIV-infection progresses to AIDS, individuals are at an increased risk of opportunistic infections that their immune systems are no longer capable of responding properly to. Because of this, opportunistic infections are a leading cause of HIV/AIDS-related deaths.
Immunodeficiency is characterized by the absence of or the disruption in components of the immune system such as white blood cells (e.g. lymphocytes, phagocytes, etc.). These disruptions cause a decrease in immune function and result in an overall reduction of immunity against pathogens.
They can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Since opportunistic infections can cause severe disease, much emphasis is placed on measures to prevent infection. Such a strategy usually includes restoration of the immune system as soon as possible, avoiding exposures to infectious agents, and using antimicrobial medications ("prophylactic medications") directed against specific infections.
Individuals at higher risk for opportunistic infections are often prescribed prophylactic medication to prevent an infection from occurring. A person's risk level for developing an opportunistic infection is approximated using the person's CD4 T-cell count and other indicators such as current medical treatments, age, and lifestyle choices. The table below provides information regarding the treatment management of common opportunistic infections.
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