Resolution of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected adult following the start of highly active antiretroviral therapy.
A case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia is described, in which improvement occurred soon after starting antiviral therapy. A 20-y-old black female with HIV infection (CD4+ count 228 x 10(6) cells and plasma viral load 379,670 copies/ml) showed radiological signs of reticulonodular infiltrates of the lungs and pulmonary functional tests indicative of a severe restrictive syndrome. Bronchoalveolar and blood cultures yielded no organism and transbronchial biopsy disclosed findings consistent with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. After 4 weeks on triple HIV combination therapy, she was well and respiratory tests had normalized. Six months later, a computed tomographic scan of the chest showed only residual alterations. Despite a good sirological response to treatment, no significant immune recovery occurred over a 2 y follow-up.
Ripamonti
D
D
Divisione di Malattie Infettive, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy. djnrip@tin.it
Rizzi
M
M
Maggiolo
F
F
Arici
C
C
Suter
F
F
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents