Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a paradoxical deterioration in clinical status in a patient on antiretroviral treatment (ART) despite satisfactory control of viral replication and improvement of CD4 count.

AIM: To study development of IRIS as a part of ART.

METHODS

Hundred patients on antiretroviral treatment were studied prospectively in the Department of Skin and VD over a period of 2 years. Patients were asked to come if they developed any symptoms or on a monthly basis. They were screened clinically and investigated suitably for evidence of opportunistic infections.

RESULTS

Out of 100 patients, 10 patients did not come for follow-up. Twenty (22.2%) out of the 90 patients developed IRIS. Herpes zoster (HZ), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and tuberculosis (TB) were the cases of IRIS seen in the present study.

CONCLUSIONS

IRIS in terms of HSV/TB is known to accelerate HIV disease progression. Hence early detection and prompt treatment, along with continuation of highly active ART, are of utmost importance.