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
Types of infections
These infections include:
- Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
- Candida albicans
- Pneumocystis carinii - in AIDS
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Aspergillus sp.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of opportunistic infection, but usually involves different antibiotics.
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