Infectious disease considerations in immunocompromised patients
Bridget McGrath, Mary Broadhurst, Christopher Roman
Abstract
Immunocompromised patients account for about 3% of the US population. Complications arising from infection are common in these patients and can present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This article describes the pathophysiology of immunosuppression in five common immunocompromised states-asplenia, HIV infection, solid organ transplant, biologic use, and cancer-as well as specific infectious risks and considerations for affected patients and how to manage them.
Topics & Concepts
ImmunosuppressionMedicineIntensive care medicineAspleniaDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)PopulationImmunologyInternal medicineSpleenEnvironmental healthPneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatmentCytomegalovirus and herpesvirus researchPolyomavirus and related diseases