Infections in Immune Compromised Persons

Clinicians continue to encounter an increasing number of patients who have been diagnosed with conditions which can compromise host immune defenses. Common challenges resulting from a medical problem include subsequent development of systemic symptoms, immunosuppression and/or predisposition to infection. This seminar considers selected diagnosed conditions and diseases which can manifest quantitative or qualitative defects in immune capabilities, as well as resultant susceptibility to a variety of microbial infections. Included are challenges resulting from neoplasia, organ transplantation, HIV infection, representative autoimmune disorders (i.e., systemic lupus erythematosus), parenteral drug abuse, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, and asplenia. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the emergence of “Long COVID,” a condition where debilitating symptoms can surface in people who initially recover from COVID-19. These manifestations can occur in multiple tissues/organs and linger for weeks, months, or even years. As medical and dental clinicians see more patients who are susceptible to opportunistic infections, recognition and effective management approaches are increasingly important to best address patients’ infectious disease and other health susceptibilities.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course the participants should be able to:

1. Understand that an increasing number of patients present with conditions and histories which cause a reduction in normal host immune defenses.
2. Understand the variety of diseases and conditions which manifest deficiency in host immune capabilities.
3. Describe the current status of long COVID in the population, and health problems that it can cause after recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
4. List representative opportunistic infections which can develop in immune compromised patients.
5. Understand the importance of appropriate medical and dental care for the overall health of immune compromised patients.