title: Adrenocortical insufficiency with normal serum cortisol levels and hyporeninaemia in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
abstract: The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been associated with abnormalities of adrenocortical function, and hypoaldosteronism due to hyporeninaemic hypoaldosteronism (HHA). We here report the case of a woman with AIDS associated with orthostatic hypotension, persistent hyponatraemia and hyperkalaemia, in whom basal serum cortisol levels were normal and serum renin activity was low. Subsequent post-mortem examination revealed almost complete adrenocortical destruction. A possible explanation of this apparently contradictory combination of findings is discussed, together with the therapeutic implications for similar cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cobbs
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Pepper
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Gruenspan
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000304:Adrenal Cortex Function Tests; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D006994:Hypoaldosteronism / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012083:Renin; D006854:Hydrocortisone