["Buffalo hump" related to indinavir treatment]

Since 1997, new side effects like lipodystrophia have been described in HIV-1-infected patients treated with protease inhibitors. The evolution is not specified in the most reported cases.

A 44-year-old man treated for HIV 1 infection developed a Buffalo hump 12 months after initiating a new treatment including indinavir-protease inhibitor (Crixivan). Ten months later, we observe neither other fat accumulation nor fat loss and significant metabolic disorders.

Many publications emphasized the relationship that would exist between protease inhibitors therapy and the occurrence of lipodystrophia. Clinical features of this syndrome appear like an accumulation of fatty tissue anywhere on the trunk, or a fat loss on the limbs, the buttocks and the face. It is sometimes associated with metabolic disorders. The pathogenesis of these lipodystrophia is unclear. Larger studies have to be led to highlight the incidence of these lipodystrophia and their subsequent effects on the HIV-1 infection.