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Infectious DiseaseManagement

HIV Opportunistic Infections Management

HIV Opportunistic Infections Management: HIV Patient with Suspected OI → Check CD4 Count & Viral Load → Opportunistic Infection Type → PCP (Pneumocystis...

Interactive Decision Tree

Mini Map

Algorithm Steps

  1. Start

    HIV Patient with Suspected OI

    New infection in patient with HIV, especially if CD4 <200

    1. Action

      Check CD4 Count & Viral Load

      Guides differential

      • CD4 <200: PCP, toxo, crypto, MAC, CMV, HSV, candida
      • CD4 <100: CMV, MAC, crypto higher risk
      • CD4 <50: Disseminated MAC, CMV retinitis
      1. Decision

        Opportunistic Infection Type

        Based on presentation

        1. Action

          PCP (Pneumocystis)

          Dyspnea, dry cough, hypoxia, bilateral infiltrates

          • TMP-SMX 15-20mg/kg/day TMP divided q6-8h x21 days
          • Alternative: Pentamidine IV, Primaquine + Clindamycin
          • Steroids if PaO2 <70 or A-a gradient >35
          • Start ART within 2 weeks
          1. Action

            ART Initiation Timing

            Critical decision

            • Most OIs: Start ART within 2 weeks
            • Cryptococcal meningitis: Delay 4-6 weeks
            • TB meningitis: Consider delay 2-8 weeks
            • Watch for IRIS (immune reconstitution syndrome)
            1. Action

              Primary/Secondary Prophylaxis

              Based on CD4 count

              • CD4 <200: TMP-SMX for PCP + toxo
              • CD4 <100: Consider Fluconazole for crypto
              • CD4 <50: Azithromycin for MAC
              • Discontinue when CD4 >100-200 on ART x3-6 months
              1. Outcome

                OI Resolved

                Complete treatment, maintain prophylaxis

              2. Warning

                IRIS / Treatment Failure

                Worsening after ART start or persistent OI

                • IRIS: Steroids may help, continue ART
                • Treatment failure: Drug resistance, poor adherence
        2. Action

          Cryptococcal Meningitis

          Headache, fever, altered mental status

          • Induction: Ampho B + Flucytosine x2 weeks
          • Consolidation: Fluconazole 400mg/day x8 weeks
          • Maintenance: Fluconazole 200mg/day
          • LP for opening pressure - serial LPs if elevated
          • Delay ART 4-6 weeks (reduce IRIS risk)
        3. Action

          Toxoplasmosis

          Ring-enhancing brain lesions, focal neuro deficits

          • Pyrimethamine 200mg load, then 50-75mg/day
          • + Sulfadiazine 1-1.5g QID + Leucovorin 10-25mg/day
          • Duration: 6+ weeks, then maintenance
          • Alternative: TMP-SMX high dose
        4. Action

          CMV Disease

          Retinitis, colitis, esophagitis

          • Retinitis: Ganciclovir IV or Valganciclovir PO
          • Colitis: Ganciclovir IV x21-42 days
          • Maintenance until immune reconstitution
          • Ophthalmology for retinitis monitoring
        5. Action

          MAC (Mycobacterium avium)

          Fever, weight loss, anemia, LN, hepatosplenomegaly

          • Clarithromycin 500mg BID + Ethambutol 15mg/kg/day
          • Consider adding Rifabutin (not rifampin with ART)
          • Duration: Minimum 12 months + immune reconstitution
          • Start ART within 2 weeks
        6. Action

          Candidiasis

          Oropharyngeal or esophageal

          • Oral: Fluconazole 100-200mg/day x7-14d
          • Esophageal: Fluconazole 200-400mg/day x14-21d
          • Refractory: Posaconazole, Echinocandin, Ampho B

Guideline Source

NIH/CDC/HIVMA Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV

Clinical Safety Information

Clinical Decision Support — Not a Substitute for Clinical Judgment

Individual patient factors may require deviation from these recommendations.

Known Limitations

  • ⚠️ UNVALIDATED DRAFT: This algorithm was AI-generated from guideline summaries and has NOT been reviewed by clinical experts. All doses, thresholds, and pathways MUST be verified against primary sources by qualified clinicians before clinical use. Do not use for patient care without expert validation.
  • ART initiation timing varies by OI
  • IRIS is common
  • Prophylaxis thresholds by CD4 count
  • Drug interactions with ART

Applicable Regions

USEU
Version 1Next review: 2027-01-11

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HIV Opportunistic Infections Management?

The HIV Opportunistic Infections Management is a management clinical algorithm for Infectious Disease. It provides a structured decision tree to guide clinical decision-making, based on NIH/CDC/HIVMA Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV.

What guideline is the HIV Opportunistic Infections Management based on?

This algorithm is based on NIH/CDC/HIVMA Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV.

What are the limitations of the HIV Opportunistic Infections Management?

Known limitations include: ⚠️ UNVALIDATED DRAFT: This algorithm was AI-generated from guideline summaries and has NOT been reviewed by clinical experts. All doses, thresholds, and pathways MUST be verified against primary sources by qualified clinicians before clinical use. Do not use for patient care without expert validation.; ART initiation timing varies by OI; IRIS is common; Prophylaxis thresholds by CD4 count; Drug interactions with ART. Individual patient factors may require deviation from these recommendations.

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