rss
Genitourin Med 1996;72:9-11 doi:10.1136/sti.72.1.9
  • Research Article

Community-based respiratory viral infections in HIV positive patients with lower respiratory tract disease: a prospective bronchoscopic study.

  1. R F Miller,
  2. C Loveday,
  3. J Holton,
  4. Y Sharvell,
  5. G Patel,
  6. N S Brink
  1. Academic Department of Genitourinary Medicine, University College London Medical School.

      Abstract

      OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the contribution of community-based respiratory virus infections to lower respiratory tract disease in HIV-1 infected individuals. DESIGN: Prospective clinical cohort study. SETTING: Specialist in-patient unit for HIV and AIDS, University College London Hospitals, London. SUBJECTS: 44 consecutive HIV-1 antibody positive patients who underwent 47 diagnostic bronchoscopies for evaluation of the symptoms and signs of lower respiratory tract disease. TIME: Winter months of 1994/95. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Detection, in bronchoscopic alveolar lavage fluid, of infection with influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3 (by immunofluorescence and cell culture) and adenovirus and enteroviruses (by cell culture). RESULTS: No evidence of influenza, RSV, parainfluenza, adenovirus, or enterovirus infection was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a marked increase in RSV and influenza B infection in the general population over the winter of 1994-95, respiratory virus infections were not detected in this cohort of HIV infected patients. As the organisms causing lower respiratory tract disease were related to immunosuppression, this study questions the value of routine identification of community-based respiratory viruses in this patient group.

      Register for free content

      The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

      Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.