VIRAL-INFECTIONS IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATI ENTS

The widespread application of immunosuppressive therapy has broadened our knowledge of the incidence and progression of viral infectious dis eases in the immuncompromised host. The following article presents a s hort survey of viral agents with increased pathogenicity in immunosupp ressed patients. Routes of transmission, laboratory diagnosis, and str ategies for therapy and prophylaxis are summarized. In addition, patho genetic aspects of reactivated infections and immunomodulation by vira l agents in the immunosuppressed host are discussed.