Hematological Effects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia are common manifestations in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection that become more frequent and severe with progression from the asymptomatic state to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Causes of anemia in AIDS include nutritional deficiencies, infection, and marrow suppression by antiretroviral drugs and by the disease itself. Autoimmune hemolysis and blood loss from gastrointestinal lymphoma or Kaposi sarcoma may also contribute. Granulocytopenia may be due to infection, autoimmunity, or bone marrow suppression by drugs or the immunodeficiency virus. Lymphopenia, the classic hallmark of the disease, typically affects T-helper cells first and worsens as the disease advances. Lymphopenia is a result of the direct cytopathic effects of the virus. Thrombocytopenia can occur from antibodies causing an idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura-like state from bone marrow suppression or from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. A prolonged partial thromboplastin time due to a coagulopathy caused by lupus anticoagulant causing has been described. A variety of malignancies occurs.