Update to the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Children With and Exposed to HIV

Cross-posted from: clinicalinfo.hiv.gov

The Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Children With and Exposed to HIV have been updated.

Mycobacterium avium Complex Disease

• Added linezolid, moxifloxacin, and bedaquiline as options for alternative therapy in children with severe symptoms or disseminated disease who need an alternative to rifabutin or a fourth drug as part of their treatment regimen.

Varicella-Zoster Virus Disease

• Added valacyclovir as preferred therapy in children aged ≥3 months with no or moderate immunosuppression diagnosed with uncomplicated herpes zoster or mild varicella.
• Clarified indications for passive immunization with varicella-zoster immune globulin (available as VariZIG) or intravenous immunoglobulin (or IVIG) after exposure to herpes zoster or varicella.

These guidelines are published in an electronic format and updated as changes occur in prevention and treatment science. All updates are developed by the subject matter groups listed in Appendix C and reviewed by scientific content experts.

To view or download the guidelines, go to the Pediatric Opportunistic Infection Guidelines section of the Clinicalinfo website. The guidelines tables and recommendations also can be downloaded as separate PDF files.

Clinicalinfo welcomes your feedback on the latest revisions to the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Children With and Exposed to HIV. Please send your comments with the subject line “Pediatric Opportunistic Infection Guidelines” to HIVinfo@NIH.gov by May 14.