AIDS - opportunistic infections and HIV-associated malignancies. An evaluation of 58 autopsy cases within 10 years

Patients and Methods: Of all patients who died of HIV infection within 10 y ears (1. 1. 1988 to 31. 12. 1997) at the Klinikum Nurnberg 58 autopsy cases were reviewed at the Institute of Pathology of the above mentioned hospita l. Results: The male : female ratio was 2.1 : 1, the mean age being 40.5 years . Most of the patients showed an advanced stage of lymphadenopathy at the m oment of death. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma, both HIV relat ed malignant diseases, were diagnosed in 6/58 cases, 10.3% each. HIV-relate d myelodysplastic changes existed in 28/58 patients (48.3%). Twelve patient s showed an HIV-associated encephalopathy (20.7%). Opportunistic infections pneumocystis carinii, cytomegaly, toxoplasmosis, atypical mycobacteriosis) were found in 28/58 patients (48.3%). A mycosis was diagnosed in 9/58 case s (15.5%). Tuberculosis was identified in 4/58 patients (6.9%). Cirrhosis o f the liver was ascertained in 8/58 patients (13.8%). 24/58 patients (41.4% ) died of respiratory disorder. Conclusion: In the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome numerous morphologica l findings will be helpful in diagnosis and therapy.