title: Biology of anemia, differential diagnosis, and treatment options in human immunodeficiency virus infection.
abstract: Anemia is the most common hematologic manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The causes of HIV-related anemia are multifactorial and include direct and indirect effects of HIV infection. HIV-related anemia generally is due to reduced red blood cell (RBC) production, secondary to a variety of causes, but it may also involve nutritional deficiencies, increased RBC destruction, or a combination of these problems. Evaluation of hemoglobin level, reticulocyte count, bilirubin, and mean corpuscular volume value and review of the peripheral blood smear are necessary for diagnosis. Treatment of HIV-related anemia should address the correctable underlying causes of this disorder, such as modifications of offending medications, nutritional deficiencies, and parvovirus infection. Patients with HIV infection have a blunted erythropoietin response to anemia. Therapeutic modalities for anemia that is not amenable to correction include blood transfusion and recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin alfa).
authors: Positive Health Program, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94110, USA. sclaster@php.ucsf.edu
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Claster
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents