RESUMEN
The management of corticosteroid refractory immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is currently unclear. Infliximab administration was associated with clinical improvement without significant adverse events in 3 patients with mycobacterial IRIS. Immunologic and virologic responses to antiretroviral therapy were unaffected. Tumor necrosis factor blockade may be beneficial for IRIS and warrants further study in clinical trials.
Asunto(s)
Síndrome Inflamatorio de Reconstitución Inmune/tratamiento farmacológico , Factores Inmunológicos/uso terapéutico , Infliximab/uso terapéutico , Tuberculosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Antirretrovirales/efectos adversos , Antirretrovirales/uso terapéutico , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Humanos , Infliximab/efectos adversos , Masculino , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Appendicitis occurs with increased frequency in HIV infected compared to HIV uninfected persons. CMV-related appendicitis specifically presents with typical appendicitis symptoms including surgical abdomen, fever and leukocytosis and may have a more severe course with higher mortality than other types of infective appendicitis. We report the first case of CMV appendicitis as a manifestation of Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS). CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 38 year old woman with a recent diagnosis of HIV infection who complained of right lower quadrant pain, anorexia, nausea and fevers two weeks after initiating antiretroviral therapy. Acute appendicitis was suspected and the patient underwent an appendectomy. Pathologic examination of the resected appendiceal tissue demonstrated inflammation with perforation and cytopathic changes typical of CMV that were positive for CMV by immunostain. This presentation of CMV abruptly after antiretroviral therapy initiation with a pronounced cellular infiltration of the tissue, is consistent with CMV-IRIS presenting as appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: Appendicitis can be a rare manifestation of CMV-IRIS in HIV-infected patients who start antiretroviral therapy. Evaluation of appendiceal tissue for cytopathic changes and CMV should be considered in acute appendicitis in HIV infected persons.