Thrombotic microangiopathies and HIV infection: Report of two typical cases, features of HUS and TTP, and review of the literature

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thromhocytopenic purpura ( TTP) are thrombotic microangiopathies increasingly reported in patients wit h HIV infection. However, characteristic features of thrombotic microangiop athies associated with HIV disease have not been defined yet, The typical c ourses of HUS and TTP in two patients are presented. The data as well as th e analysis of cases published in the literature demonstrate the association of thrombotic microangiopathies with late-stage HIV disease. Moreover, dif ferences between HUS and TTP can be detected. Patients with HUS present wit h more severe immunologic deterioration. Although clinical symptoms are few er, HUS implicates a very poor prognosis. Life expectancy rarely exceeded 1 year after diagnosis. HUS and TTP should therefore be added to the interna tional AIDS classification.