Bacterial infection in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome of children.

We have followed 46 children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex. Twenty-six patients had at least one episode of serious bacterial infection. Twenty-seven episodes of sepsis were documented in 21 patients. Soft tissue infection was common in both the presence and the absence of documented bacteremia. Urinary tract infection commonly presented as worsening diarrhea in the absence of sepsis. Organisms commonly isolated included Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Salmonella sp. Staphylococcal infection accompanied episodes of cellulitis/abscess. Escherichia coli commonly caused urinary tract infection in the absence of sepsis. Enteric and nosocomial sepsis was limited to hospitalized, instrumented patients or to individuals who had received prior antibiotic therapy as outpatients. We conclude that bacterial infection causes serious morbidity in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex and may be further evidence for altered humoral immunity in the disorder.