PATHOLOGIC FEATURES OF PATIENTS INFECTED WITH THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

PATHOLOGIC FEATURES OF PATIENTS INFECTED WITH THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

AIDS: Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. Second Edition. DeVita VT Jr et al, eds. Philadelphia, Lippincott, p. 155-83, 1988.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/89650906
Macher AM; De Vinatea ML; Angritt P; Tuur SM; Reichert CM; Armed Forces Inst. of Pathology, Washington, DC

Abstract: AIDS is a devastating new disease caused by the HIV, which renders the host profoundly immunoincompetent. The surgical and postmortem pathologic features associated with infection by HIV can be divided into four major categories: (1) morphologic manifestations of immunologic impairment; (2) secondary opportunistic infections; (3) unusual neoplasms; and (4) special problems. Infection by HIV is a dynamic process with pathologic features and patterns of involvement that vary with the chronology of the disease. The gross and microscopic features of both the prodromal illness caused by HIV and fully developed AIDS are described. Morphologic manifestations of immunologic impairment in the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and gastrointestinal lymphoid tissues and ultrastructural findings in tissues are described. Pathologic features are summarized for infections associated with AIDS (protozoa, fungi, bacteria, helminths, and arthropods) and neoplasms (Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphomas, and other malignancies). Special problems discussed are pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia/lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis, oral hairy leukoplakia, testicular atrophy, idiopathic myocarditis, and idiopathic neurologic lesions. Handling of tissues of patients (pts) known or suspected to be HIV-infected also is described. An understanding of the various pathologic findings in pts infected by HIV is fundamental to an appreciation of the diverse manifestations of this syndrome. Because of the multiplicity of infections and neoplastic processes encountered in pts with AIDS, and because of the potential hazards of the various therapeutic agents involved, specific pathologic diagnoses are essential for a rational approach to therapy. (162 Refs)

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS/*PATHOLOGY AIDS-Related Complex/*PATHOLOGY Bone Marrow/PATHOLOGY Human HIV/*PATHOGENICITY Lymph Nodes/PATHOLOGY Lymphoma/PATHOLOGY Opportunistic Infections/COMPLICATIONS/PATHOLOGY Sarcoma, Kaposi's/PATHOLOGY Skin Neoplasms/PATHOLOGY Specimen Handling Spleen/PATHOLOGY Thymus Gland/PATHOLOGY MONOGRAPH REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL

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