[Anemia in HIV infection]

Anemia is a common finding in HIV-infected patients, especially in late stages of the disease. The grade of anemia is an independent marker for mortality. Beside the classical causes of anemia we find in HIV-infected patients typically cytokine mediated suppression of the bone marrow, infiltration of the latter by opportunistic agents and side effects of drugs. These causes have to be taken into account in the diagnostic approach. The therapeutic intervention should be focused on the aetiology and pathogenesis of anemia in the individual patient. Successful antiretroviral combination therapy is associated with a substantial decrease of morbidity and mortality and lowers the incidence of severe anemia. However, several antiretroviral agents, especially zidovudine, and drugs against opportunistic infections can cause anemia.