title: Human immunodeficiency virus-related microvasculopathy and Kaposi's sarcoma: a case-control study.
abstract: Ocular microangiopathic syndrome including retinal and conjunctival abnormalities is frequently found in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most frequent neoplasia found in patients with HIV-1 disease. We have recently reported a significant association between conjunctival microvasculopathy and KS in 117 patients with HIV-1 disease. The objective of the present study was to determine whether this association is existent when matched patients with and without KS are compared. A total of 22 matched pairs were obtained under consideration of the absolute CD4+ lymphocyte count, Walter Reed (WR) classification, gender, and serum levels of beta-2-microglobulin and neopterin. Conjunctival microangiopathy was determined for each eye by a standardized rating scale ranging from 0 to 5, allowing a reliable and valid quantification of conjunctival blood-flow sludging. The mean value obtained for conjunctival sludge was 1.8 (SEM, 0.4) for patients without KS and 3.2 (SEM, 0.3) for patients with KS, demonstrating a clinically and statistically significant difference between the two groups (Student's t = 3.0; P = 0.003). This difference was higher when patients with a CD4+ lymphocyte count exceeding 200/microliters were regarded. Similar factors or mechanisms may contribute to HIV-related conjunctival microvasculopathy and KS.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000098:blood supply*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D019798:Neopterin; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D001708:Biopterins; D019798:Neopterin