HIV-associated, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma occurs in 5-10% of individuals with HIV infection. The incidence of lymphoma in this population has been rising and may reflect prolonged survival related to the use of highly-active antiretroviral therapy and infection prophylaxis.
Pathophysiology
HIV-associated non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are virtually all of B-cell origin. Most are intermediate- or high-grade lymphomas categorized as large cell [...]
A. Neutropenia occurs in half of all patients with advanced HIV infection. Causes include myelosuppressive medications, opportunistic infections or neoplasms, HIV-induced myelosuppression, deficient production of myeloid growth-stimulating factors, and depletion of hematopoietic progenitor cells.
B. Neutropenia may cause an increased incidence of infections, hospitalization, decreased survival, and discontinuation of medications (or use of suboptimal dosages).
II. Anemia
A. Twenty five percent of patients with AIDS develop severe anemia (hemoglobin <8 g/dl). Anemia is caused HIV-related hematopoietic defects and by zidovudine therapy. Milder forms of anemia develop in 50% of all patients with HIV disease (hemoglobin 8-13 g/dl). The frequency and severity of zidovudine-induced anemia increases with higher dosages and with later [...]
HIV-infected patients frequently develop hematologic abnormalities. Cytopenias often respond to suppression of HIV with antiretrovirals, treatment of infectious diseases and tumors, discontinuation or dosage reduction of myelosuppressive medications, correction of nutritional deficiencies, and treatment with hematopoietic growth factors or other cytokines.
I. Thrombocytopenia
A. Causes of thrombocytopenia include myelosuppression from medications, infections or tumors and increased destruction [...]
Kaposi’s sarcoma is a neoplasm of endothelial cells within the skin and other organs. Most KS patients are homosexual men. KS may be present in up to 46% of homosexual men with advanced HIV disease at initial diagnosis. The incidence in heterosexual injection drug users is only 3.8%. Herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) has been associated [...]
Eosinophilic folliculitis
Eosinophilic folliculitis typically occurs in HIV-infected persons with helper T cell counts below 200. Intensely pruritic, edematous, urticarial papules and pustules appear in crops on the trunk or face or both. Cultures and histologic examination for infectious agents are negative, but a relative peripheral eosinophilia may be present.
Astemizole ( Hismanal), 10 mg daily has [...]
Cutaneous presentations of primary and secondary syphilis in HIV-infected persons are usually similar to those in non-HIV-infected persons. HIV may delay development of serologic evidence of Treponema pallidum, resulting in negative tests. In the HIV-infected person, a negative serologic test may not be adequate to rule out secondary syphilis.
Treatment.
HIV infected patients with early syphilis should [...]
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