Distinguished characteristics of infective endocarditis in HIV/AIDS among intravenous drugs abused
The aim - definition of distinguished characteristics of the right-sided infective endocarditis (IE) inintravenous drugs abused with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Materials and methods. The study included 10 patients with right-sided IE in conjunction with HIV/AIDS. All patients were male, age - from 28 to 36 years. Results. Course of the IE in HIV/AIDS among intravenous drugs abused in general corresponds to features specific to IE in intravenous drug users without HIV infection. Distinctive features of IE in these patients are a large burden of lung disease, its disseminated character, more tissue oxygenation disorders and marked pulmonary hypertension and haematological disorders (lymphopenia, anemia), and late diagnosis of IE. Conclusion. Features of the current right-sided IE in intravenous drugs abused with HIV/AIDS are distinguished. Difficulties in diagnosis of IE in HIV infection are due to variety of causes of prolonged fever, which should guide doctors to more frequent use of transthoracic echocardiography during prolonged fever in HIV-infected patients.