Opportunistic infections in AIDS and their diagnosis.

AIDS patients are susceptible to a variety of infections from microorganisms as a result of their immunosuppressed condition. These infections are mainly responsible for the morbidity and mortality in these patients. The organisms responsible include protozoa, bacteria, fungi and viruses. Their presence may be a result of reactivation of latent or previous infection, or exposure to opportunistic agents. The seriousness of the patients' condition makes rapid and early diagnosis imperative so that appropriate treatment can be instituted. Methods of diagnosis including more recent technology are discussed.