HIV Co-infections

Dear Colleagues,

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which was later attributed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, was first recognised in 1981after several cases of  Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Various other associated opportunistic infections, including bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections, were secondarily reported to cause morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAARTs) in 1996 modified epidemiologic trends of opportunistic infections. However, disparities of access to care make them remain a major cause of mortality in HIV-infected patients worldwide. Moreover, new challenges emerged with the advent of HAARTs, such as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) and drug–drug interactions.

Outside of opportunistic infections, some HIV co-infections are highly prevalent due to overlapping transmission routes. This is the case of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infections.

Finally, some HIV co-infections are frequent due to overlapping distribution; for example, this is the case with malaria, which is common in sub-Saharan Africa.

The profile of infections’ evolution and pathogenesis may be different in HIV-infected patients. In co-infections, the presence of one pathogen impacts the natural history of the other. Understanding the complex interaction between HIV, these co-infections, and the host immune response is essential to improve their management.

The objective of this Special Issue of Microorganisms is to present the latest research regarding various HIV co-infections. This includes research regarding pathogenesis, technical procedures for establishing diagnosis, and therapeutic advances. Epidemiological and clinical studies are also welcomed. Original research articles and review articles are invited.

Dr. Agnès Meybeck
Dr. Olivier Robineau
Guest Editors

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