Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome

Background: Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a paradoxical deterioration in clinical status in a patient on antiretroviral treatment (ART) despite satisfactory control of viral replication and improvement of CD4 count. Aim: To study development of IRIS as a part of ART. Methods: Hundred patients on antiretroviral treatment were studied prospectively in the Department of Skin and VD over a period of 2 years. Patients were asked to come if they developed any symptoms or on a monthly basis. They were screened clinically and investigated suitably for evidence of opportunistic infections. Results: Out of 100 patients, 10 patients did not come for follow-up. Twenty (22.2%) out of the 90 patients developed IRIS. Herpes zoster (HZ), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and tuberculosis (TB) were the cases of IRIS seen in the present study. Conclusions: IRIS in terms of HSV/TB is known to accelerate HIV disease progression. Hence early detection and prompt treatment, along with continuation of highly active ART, are of utmost importance