Vasculitis in the course of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Vasculitis is among the dysimmunity-mediated disorders seen in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Several cases have been reported. The central and peripheral nervous systems were the main targets, although many other organs may be involved, There were wide variations in clinical presentation, clinico-pathologic patterns, and the stage of the HIV infection at vasculitis onset. Causes included drugs and infections, particularly some opportunistic infections. Tn some cases, the vasculitis seemed to be directly due to the HIV. The etiopathogenesis remains unclear and the treatment unstandardized. Four cases of systemic vasculitis in HIV-infected patients are reported herein. All four patients received the treatment recommended for hepatitis B virus-related polyarteritis nodosa, namely plasma exchange and antiretroviral drugs.