Candida esophagitis in a human immunodeficiency virus-1-positive elite controller with hepatitis C virus cirrhosis

EPIDEMIOLOGY OPPORTUNISTIC MYCOSES

The review touches upon a problem of coinfection caused by several important fungal infections (aspergillus, candida, pneumocystis, cryptococcus) and infectious or parasitic diseases. The authors also investigate epidemiologic determinants of such clinical forms of pathologic process. There are a lot of scientific gaps in the studying coinfections concerning mycosis and other infections. Physicians and infection control practitioners sometimes reveal such cases therefore complex characteristics of the coinfections is required.

Clinical outcomes and antiretroviral therapy in 'elite' controllers: a review of the literature

Elite controllers naturally suppress HIV viraemia below the level of detection using standard methods, but demonstrate persistent inflammation and low-level viraemia that is detectable via ultrasensitive assays. These factors may contribute to an increased risk of non-AIDS-related morbidity and mortality among elite controllers. Data suggest that cardiovascular disease may be of particular concern in elite controllers, as evidenced by an increased burden of subclinical cardiovascular disease upon radiographic screening and an elevated rate of hospitalisations for cardiovascular disease as compared to non-controllers who are treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Widespread use of ART among non-controllers has led to significant declines in morbidity and mortality, but guidelines are generally silent on the role of ART in the care of elite controllers. Multiple small studies have demonstrated that laboratory markers of inflammation, immune activation and HIV burden improve after initiation of ART in elite controllers. Clinicians must consider these potential benefits of ART when deciding whether to initiate treatment in asymptomatic elite controllers.