Sinusitis in HIV-1 infection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical and radiographic characteristics of sinusitis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection.


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed that identified all HIV-1-infected patients with sinus radiographs, sinus computed tomograms, or magnetic resonance imaging of the head between 1982 and 1989 (n = 145). Medical record review detailed the clinical course and laboratory parameters in all patients.


RESULTS
Eighty-nine patients had radiographic evidence of sinusitis; 75 patients had adequate clinical data and comprise the study group. Acute sinusitis was seen in 10 patients (13%), while all 75 patients had mucosal thickening indicative of chronic sinusitis. Fifty patients (67%) were symptomatic with fever, nasal congestion or discharge, and headache being the most common symptoms; nineteen patients (25%) were asymptomatic when their radiographs showed active disease. The mean CD4 count for the group was 276 cells/mm3; 32 (43%) had CD4 counts less than or equal to 100 cells/mm3. Twenty-three patients (31%) received antibiotics orally, parenterally, or both.


CONCLUSIONS
Sinusitis appears to occur frequently in HIV-infected patients, is often asymptomatic, may be recurrent or refractory, and may be associated with declining immunocompetence in HIV-infected patients.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
J J
JJ
Zurlo
I M
IM
Feuerstein
R
R
Lebovics
H C
HC
Lane
D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology