Query regarding opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

Friends

 

I have small query regarding opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS. If TB is

opportunistic infection in HIV, why not leprosy? Why leprosy is not seen as

tuberculosis?

Hope you learned community members have answer since long but please reply

scientific answer.

 

Regards

 

Niraj

Dr.Niraj Pandit

e-mail: <drpam_pandit@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr Pandit,

Re: /message/9937

While leprosy could well be an opportunistic infection with HIV I guess it has a

lot to do with the epidemiological triad. The agent - host -environment should

all be conducive for the disease to manifest itself.

Now the host is definitely immuno-compromised and hence the soil is

fertile but the seed should be available in the environment. Leprosy is not

quite as commonly seen in the general population as TB and hence the possibility

of the host being infected is low.

And finally the soil may be fertile, the seed may be available but the seed

should be able to germinate. Myco. leprae is known for not being very infective.

They speak of close contact for ten years before transmission takes place (at

least they did eons ago when I last studied leprosy) hence even if a source of

Myco. leprae is available it does not necessarily translate into an infection.

And finally the natural history of leprosy precludes the development of

manifestations before the passage of time. A long incubation period for the

Myco. leprae means that even after the host is infected the disease does not

manifest in a hurry.

Let me hope this will stimulate some of our more academically inclined

colleagues to respond and give their take on the issue.

Lt Col (Dr) Anil Paranjape, MD

Pune

e-mail: <anilvparanjape@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr Neraj,

/message/9937

Even though we consider TB and Leprosy related diseases they have very few

features similar as a disease and in immune response.

There is no real relation ship between Leprosy and Cd4 count and leprisy is not

an opportunistic pathogen.

Even TB need not always be opportunistic but it presents more frequently and

differently in presence of immune suppression .

I am not sure i am scientific enough.

Regrads

Ajith

--

Dr Ajithkumar.K

Asst Professor In Dermatology and Veneriology

Medical college Chest Hospital

MG Kav,Trichur, Kerala ,India

Ph 04872333322 (res)

9447226012

e-mail: <ajisudha@...>