HIV associated nephropathy: a treatable condition

Objectives: To describe current knowledge on the aetiology, pathology, diag nosis, and treatment of HN associated nephropathy. Methods: A Medline search was performed using the key words "HIV," "nephrop athy," "renal," and "kidney." A further search was performed for each of th e currently licensed antiretroviral agents linked to key words "renal" or " kidney" and also using the MeSH heading "pharmacokinetics." Results: HIV associated nephropathy is a common complication of HIV in blac k African and Afro-Caribbean patients and presents with progressive renal f ailure and heavy proteinuria. As other causes of renal failure are likely t o fall in incidence among patients successfully treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV associated nephropathy will become incr easingly prominent as a cause of renal impairment in HN infected patients. Recent evidence suggests that HIV associated nephropathy will respond to HA ART with a dramatic improvement in renal function. Conclusion: HIV associated nephropathy is a treatable condition. This condi tion should be actively sought in HN infected patients if they are to recei ve the benefits of therapy.