[Hypersensitivity reactions to antiretroviral agents in HIV-infected patients]. / Reacciones de hipersensibilidad a antirretrovirales en pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.

Drug hypersensitivity reactions in the HIV-positive patient are a major problem in management of these patients and, nowadays the antiretroviral agents are the main cause of those reactions, exceeding cotrimoxazole. The present review focuses on immunologic reactions that have been reported associated with antiretroviral agents. We have reviewed case reports on Medline(R) to September 2005. Evidence that these reactions are immune mediated is largely based on the typical symptomatology and few studies have been done to determine the pathogenesis mechanisms. The clinical management of this type of reactions is complex because of differential diagnosis and of potential severity. It is essential that research is now carried out into the pathogenic mechanisms and so, we shall be able to offer an efficacious protocol to manage these situations.