AIDS-defining clinical condition

= AIDS-Defining Clinical Conditions =

AIDS-defining clinical conditions are specific diseases and conditions that are associated with the progression of HIV infection to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). These conditions are used by healthcare professionals to diagnose AIDS in individuals infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Overview

AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, characterized by a severely weakened immune system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established criteria for diagnosing AIDS, which include the presence of certain opportunistic infections and cancers that are rare in individuals with a healthy immune system.

List of AIDS-Defining Conditions

The following is a list of conditions that are considered AIDS-defining:

Opportunistic Infections

1. Candidiasis of bronchi, trachea, or lungs - A fungal infection caused by Candida species, affecting the respiratory tract.

2. Candidiasis of esophagus - A fungal infection of the esophagus, often causing difficulty swallowing.

3. Cervical cancer, invasive - A type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

4. Coccidioidomycosis, disseminated or extrapulmonary - A fungal infection caused by Coccidioides species, spreading beyond the lungs.

5. Cryptococcosis, extrapulmonary - A fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus species, affecting areas outside the lungs.

6. Cryptosporidiosis, chronic intestinal (>1 month's duration) - A parasitic infection causing prolonged diarrhea.

7. Cytomegalovirus disease (other than liver, spleen, or nodes) - A viral infection affecting organs other than the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.

8. Cytomegalovirus retinitis (with loss of vision) - A viral infection of the retina, leading to vision loss.

9. Encephalopathy, HIV-related - A brain disorder caused by HIV infection.

10. Herpes simplex: chronic ulcers (>1 month's duration), or bronchitis, pneumonitis, or esophagitis - Severe herpes simplex virus infections affecting the skin or internal organs.

11. Histoplasmosis, disseminated or extrapulmonary - A fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, spreading beyond the lungs.

12. Isosporiasis, chronic intestinal (>1 month's duration) - A parasitic infection causing prolonged diarrhea.

13. Kaposi's sarcoma - A cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels, often appearing as purple lesions on the skin.

14. Lymphoma, Burkitt's (or equivalent term) - A type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

15. Lymphoma, immunoblastic (or equivalent term) - Another type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

16. Lymphoma, primary, of brain - A rare type of lymphoma occurring in the brain.

17. Mycobacterium avium complex or Mycobacterium kansasii, disseminated or extrapulmonary - Bacterial infections affecting areas outside the lungs.

18. Mycobacterium tuberculosis of any site, pulmonary, disseminated, or extrapulmonary - Tuberculosis infection affecting the lungs or other parts of the body.

19. Mycobacterium, other species or unidentified species, disseminated or extrapulmonary - Other mycobacterial infections spreading beyond the lungs.

20. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia - A fungal infection causing pneumonia, formerly known as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

21. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy - A rare brain infection caused by the JC virus.

22. Salmonella septicemia, recurrent - Repeated bloodstream infections caused by Salmonella bacteria.

23. Toxoplasmosis of brain - A parasitic infection of the brain caused by Toxoplasma gondii.

24. Wasting syndrome due to HIV - Significant involuntary weight loss and muscle wasting associated with HIV infection.

Diagnosis and Management

The diagnosis of AIDS is made when an individual with HIV infection develops one or more of the above conditions, or when their CD4+ T-cell count falls below 200 cells/mm³. Management of AIDS involves antiretroviral therapy (ART) to control HIV replication, prophylaxis and treatment of opportunistic infections, and supportive care to improve quality of life.

Conclusion

Understanding AIDS-defining clinical conditions is crucial for the diagnosis and management of individuals with advanced HIV infection. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Revised Surveillance Case Definition for HIV Infection.
• World Health Organization. (2023). WHO Case Definitions of HIV for Surveillance and Revised Clinical Staging and Immunological Classification of HIV-Related Disease in Adults and Children.