An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens (bacterial, viral, fungal or protozoan) that usually do not cause disease in a healthy host, i.e. one with a healthy immune system. A compromised immune system, however, presents an "opportunity" for the pathogen to infect.

[edit] Causes

Immunodeficiency or immunosuppression can be caused by:

• Malnutrition
• Recurrent infections
• Immunosuppressing agents for organ transplant recipients
• Chemotherapy for cancer
• Genetic predisposition
• Skin damage
• Antibiotic treatment
• Medical procedures
• Pregnancy
• AIDS

[edit] Types of infections

These infections include:

• Pneumocystis jirovecii, previously known as Pneumocystis carinii f. hominis
• Candida albicans
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Polyomavirus JC polyomavirus, the virus that causes Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
• Acinetobacter baumanni
• Toxoplasma gondii
• Cytomegalovirus
• Aspergillus sp.
• Kaposi's Sarcoma

[edit] Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of opportunistic infection, but usually involves different antibiotics.

[edit] Veterinary treatment

Opportunistic infections caused by Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline immunodeficiency virus retroviral infections can be treated with Lymphocyte T-Cell Immune Modulator.

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