Opportunistic infection

Opportunistic infections are infections caused by organisms that usually do not cause disease in a person with a healthy immune system, but can affect people with a poorly functioning or suppressed immune system. They need an "opportunity" to infect a person.

Causes

Immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by:

• Malnutrition
• Recurrent infections
• Immunosuppressing agents for organ transplant recipients
• Chemotherapy for cancer
• AIDS or HIV-infection
• Genetic predisposition
• Skin damage
• Antibiotic treatment
• Medical procedures

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Types of infections

These infections include:

• Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
• Candida albicans
• Pneumocystis carinii - in AIDS
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of opportunistic infection, but usually involves different antibiotics.