HIV

Summary

Introduction. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was firstly detected in 1980s. Due to lack of treatment options, HIV caused opportunistic infections that led patients to death. Newly emerged antiviral medical treatment has helped increasing the lifespan of patients infected with HIV virus. However, because of increasing life expectancy of these patients, cardiovascular diseases have become the main cause of death.

Summary

While many countries of the world are experiencing epidemics of AIDS, Lithuania is one of those countries where HIV incidence among children is very low. Paediatric HIV didn’t seem to be a problem for many years in Lithuania, unfortunately the epidemiological situation has changed recently. The rise in the number of HIV-infected women in Lithuania has led to the emergence of new cases of congenital HIV infection.

Background and Methods. Toxo-plasmic encephal itis is the most common opportunistic infection of the central nervous system in Human Immunodeficiency Virus infected patients. Patients with toxoplasmic encephalitis today usually do not take antiretroviral therapy or are unaware of their HIV status.