HIV-Associated Lung Infections and Complications in the Era of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract

The spectrum of lung diseases associated with HIV is broad, and many infectious and noninfectious complications of HIV infection have been recognized. The nature and prevalence of lung complications have not been fully characterized since the Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study more than 15 years ago, before antiretroviral therapy (ART) increased life expectancy. Our understanding of the global epidemiology of these diseases in the current ART era is limited, and the mechanisms for the increases in the noninfectious conditions, in particular, are not well understood. The Longitudinal Studies of HIV-Associated Lung Infections and Complications (Lung HIV) Study (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00933595) is a collaborative multi-R01 consortium of research projects established by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to examine a diverse range of infectious and noninfectious pulmonary diseases in HIV-infected persons. This article reviews our current state of knowledge of the impact of HIV on lung health and the development of pulmonary diseases, and highlights ongoing research within the Lung HIV Study.

Safety of Varenicline Among Smokers Enrolled in the Lung HIV Study

“…The overall objective of the Lung HIV study is to characterize HIV-associated lung infections and complications in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). The eight sites conduct independent projects as well as collaborative projects ( Crothers et al, 2011 ). Our site is focused on examining longitudinal changes in lung function among HIV-infected smokers who quit, as compared with those who continue to smoke.…”

Pneumonia in HIV-Infected Patients

“…Since the development of HAART and the use of prophylaxis drugs, hospitalizations of HIV-infected patients because of OIs were decreased to a greater extent (18,19).…”

Imaging Infection

“…65,66 Even mildly immunocompromised patients with CD4 counts lower than 500 cell/mm 3 are at an increased risk for developing bacterial CAP. Streptococcus pneumoniae and H influenzae are the most common pathogens.…”