title: Sinusitis and atopy in human immunodeficiency virus infection.
abstract: Sinusitis is increased in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. To determine the underlying mechanism(s), 37 HIV-positive patients were evaluated. HIV-negative controls included 21 with rhinosinusitis, 32 with atopy, and 16 without sinusitis. Twenty-two HIV-positive patients (59%) had sinusitis; 14 of them had AIDS. There was a significant association between sinusitis severity and stage of HIV infection (P < .05). IgE levels were higher in the HIV-positive patients, increased with disease progression, and were strongly correlated with sinusitis severity (P < .01). Of HIV-positive patients, 72% exhibited more than two positive skin tests compared with 24% of HIV-negative rhinosinusitis patients and 12.5% of controls (P < .05). Sinusitis is common in HIV-positive patients, especially those with AIDS. HIV causes an allergic diathesis with increased IgE levels and allergic reactivity. There is a significant correlation between IgE levels and sinusitis severity, suggesting sinusitis is part of this acquired atopic state.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, North Central Bronx Hospital, New York.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Small
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Armenaka
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Rosenstreich
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E