title: Mesothelioma in an HIV/AIDS patient without history of asbestos exposure: possible role for immunosuppression in mesothelioma: a case report.
abstract: We describe a 41-year-old African-American male who initially presented in respiratory distress. He had a positive history of asthma, cigarette smoking, and only recent possible asbestos exposure six months prior to onset of symptoms. Mesothelioma was suspected after chest radiography and PET-CT, and confirmed by immunohistochemical tissue analysis. We postulate that immunosuppression enhances susceptibility to mesothelioma, since weakened immune systems are present in both HIV/AIDS patients like this 41-year-old man, and elderly patients who compose the population that classically presents with mesothelioma. Furthermore, immunosuppression may be a prerequisite to the development of mesothelioma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University/Sinai Hospital, 2401 W. Belvedere Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215, USA. clevejames@gmail.com
authors.forename: Cleve Orian
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Ashanti W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Payam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arya
authors.forename: Khadega Ahmed
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Abuelgasim
authors.forename: Lekidelu Taddesse
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sitapati