COEXISTENCE OF HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION AND SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

A variety of rheumatic disorders has been reported during the course o f human immunodeficiency virus (HN) infection; however, its associatio n with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is extremely rare. The effec t of HIV infection on CD4 lymphocytes may ameliorate SLE activity and spur remission. We observed 2 patients with SLE who later developed HN infection. Both patients' lupus went into remission, and their course was complicated by aseptic necrosis of the bone. These findings sugge st that HIV infection may have an important effect on the natural cour se of SLE and may also have a pathogenic role in avascular necrosis.