Sudden death in HIV-infected drug users. Presumptive overdose in an HIV-positive narcotic addict.
We report the case of an HIV-positive drug user who was found dead in a room in which were discovered tablets of dihydrocodeine and amitriptyline. There had been past episodes of drug overdose which was suspected of being the cause of death on this occasion. However toxicology analysis did not support this diagnosis and necropsy revealed a severe desquamative interstitial pneumonitis and HIV encephalitis. The need to investigate thoroughly the cause of sudden death in all HIV-positive drug users is emphasised.
Infectious Diseases Unit, City Hospital, Edinburgh, U.K.
M E
ME
Jones
R P
RP
Brettle
A
A
Busuttil
M H
MH
Inglis
J E
JE
Bell
L
L
Willocks
D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000506:poisoning*; D002423:Cause of Death; D003061:Codeine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000506:poisoning; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous
D000639:Amitriptyline; C014481:dihydrocodeine; D003061:Codeine