title: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated nephropathy.
abstract: Patients with HIV infection can manifest a spectrum of potentially reversible forms of acute renal failure and a unique form of nephropathy clinically characterized by nephrotic syndrome, a rapid progression to irreversible uremia in weeks, and a poor prognosis despite maintenance dialysis therapy. Typical histologic features consist of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, with some distinct and unusual electron microscopic features in the kidney. HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is predominantly a disease of young black men; about half are intravenous drug addicts and the remaining half belong to various groups at risk for HIV infection. Evidence points to a viral etiology in the pathogenesis of HIVAN. Currently, no effective forms of therapy are available for HIV-associated nephropathy. It is hoped that the newer antiviral agents given early and for prolonged periods may change the natural history of HIVAN, which at present is a fulminant form of irreversible renal syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SUNY Health Science Center, Brooklyn 11203-2098.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D016263:AIDS-Associated Nephropathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D014463:Ultrasonography