Spectrum Of Opportunistic Fungal Infections in HIV/Aids Patients in Tertiary Care Hospital in Tertiary Care Hospital in Bhagalpur

Background: HIV/AIDS patients’ impaired immune systems make opportunistic fungal infections (OFIs) a primary cause of morbidity and mortality. An HIV/AIDS tertiary care hospital in Bhagalpur, Bihar, will be studied for opportunistic fungal infections and their clinical consequences. Methods: Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College & Hospital, Bhagalpur, conducted this observational, prospective study from October 2023 to September 2024. We enrolled 60 HIV/AIDS patients with probable fungal infections. To detect fungal pathogens, clinical history, CD4 counts, microscopy, cultures, and serological testing were used. Results: In 60 patients, oral candidiasis (41.7%) was the most common fungal illness, followed by cryptococcal meningitis (25%), Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (16.7%), invasive aspergillosis (10%), and disseminated histoplasmosis (6. The majority of patients with severe fungal infections had CD4 levels below 100 cells/µL. Lower CD4 levels correlated with fungal infection severity. Patients without ART had a greater rate of serious fungal infections. Conclusion: Opportunistic fungal infections are a major source of morbidity in HIV/AIDS patients, with lower CD4 levels indicating greater infection severity. These infections must be diagnosed early, treated with antifungals, and treated with ART to decrease mortality. In resource-limited situations, diagnostic capacity and preventive methods must be improved.