Viral Infections in Immunocompromised Hosts

Abstract: Several viral infections have been shown to occur in immunocompromised hosts like tumour bearing hosts, transplant recipients and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. In these categories of patients they cause severe morbidity and disseminated fatal infections if untreated. The viruses that are significantly associated with disease in immunocompromised hosts are the members of family Herpesviridae, others include Adenoviruses (Adenoviridae), JC virus and BK virus family (Papovaviridae) and certain members of Paramyxoviridae like Respiratory Syncitial Virus, metapneumovirus and parainfluenza viruses. Infections could be seen in individuals when their HIV disease is asymptomatic and more fatal infections are seen when HIV disease is symptomatic. Infections with Hepatitis A virus and Hepatitis E virus could be seen as community acquired infections among immunosuppressed patients. Early and specific detection of opportunistic viruses is possible today by using certain new techniques like real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction. It is possible to intervene with antivirals which reduce morbidity and mortality if the diagnosis is achieved early in the course of disease.