Infections of the liver in HIV-infected patients

The liver is a common site of pathology in HIV-infected patients. In patien ts with controlled HIV and minimal immunosuppression, infection with hepati tis viruses is common owing to the risk factors of sexual transmission or p arenteral drug use. In patients with AIDS, the liver is a common site of ly mphohematogenous dissemination of several infectious pathogens. A thorough diagnostic approach will lead to a diagnosis of most hepatobiliary processe s. A sense of futility surrounding therapeutic treatment of hepatic disease , including viral hepatitis, is unwarranted because treatment of the underl ying HIV and hepatic process may improve the quality of life and longevity of these patients.