title: Acquired protein C and protein S deficiency in HIV-infected patients.
abstract: Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may lead to hemostatic imbalances. Forty-nine consecutive patients with acute opportunistic infections were screened for thrombophilic parameters. A follow-up investigation was performed after 10 +/- 8 weeks in 26 patients. In acutely ill patients, the incidence of protein S deficiency was 67% (33/49) and of protein C deficiency 25% (12/49), while at the follow-up visit the incidences were 54% (14/26) and 8% (2/26), respectively. Protein S and protein C levels increased significantly from initial to follow-up visit (p < 0.05). Lupus anticoagulants were not detected and anticardiolipin IgG antibodies were present in 11.4% (5/44). Three patients presented with deep venous thrombosis on admission; in two, protein S or protein C deficiency was observed. In conclusion, an acquired protein S and protein C deficiency often develop in patients with HIV and acute illness; this may be reversible after treatment for opportunistic infections.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Angiology, University Hospital, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. m.erbe@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erbe
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rickerts
authors.forename: Rupert Martin
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bauersachs
authors.forename: Edelgard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lindhoff-Last
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits; D011486:Protein C / Q000032:analysis; D020151:Protein C Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D017293:Protein S / Q000032:analysis; D018455:Protein S Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D011486:Protein C; D017293:Protein S