Understanding and diagnosing infectious complications in the immunocompromised host. Current issues and trends.

The number of patients who are at an increased risk of life-threatening infection has expanded greatly during the past decade. This expansion is because of two events, one terrible in its consequences, the other very positive. The first is the unprecedented epidemic of opportunistic infection that follows infection with the human immunodeficiency virus or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The second is a direct consequence of the successes of the transplant surgeon, the cancer chemotherapist, the hematologist, and the rheumatologist. The authors review the current issues and trends in understanding and diagnosing infectious complications in the immunocompromised host.