Practical considerations of outpatient infusion therapy in the HIV arena

The immunocompromised person with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is sus ceptible to a variety of viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. Most bacte rial pathogens need only short-term treatment, but many of the viral, funga l, and parasitic diseases require long-term therapy or suppression. Outpati ent parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) offers an important alternative to hospitalization for patients who need less intensive but efficacious medic al care for a variety of HIV-related infections and complications. In addit ion, OPAT allows the physician an opportunity to expand office-based care f or the betterment both of patients and of practice.