[Opportunistic infections and HIV-associated malignancies. An evaluation of 58 autopsy cases within 10 years]

Of all patients who died of HIV infection within 10 years (1. 1. 1988 to 31. 12. 1997) at the Klinikum Nürnberg 58 autopsy cases were reviewed at the Institute of Pathology of the above mentioned hospital.

The male:female ratio was 2.1:1, the mean age being 40.5 years. Most of the patients showed an advanced stage of lymphadenopathy at the moment of death. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma, both HIV-related malignant diseases, were diagnosed in 6/58 cases, 10.3% each. HIV-related myelodysplastic changes existed in 28/58 patients (48.3%). Twelve patients showed an HIV-associated encephalopathy (20.7%). Opportunistic infections (pneumocystis carinii, cytomegaly, toxoplasmosis, atypical mycobacteriosis) were found in 28/58 patients (48.3%). A mycosis was diagnosed in 9/58 cases (15.5%). Tuberculosis was identified in 4/58 patients (6.9%). Cirrhosis of the liver was ascertained in 8/58 patients (13.8%). 24/58 patients (41.4%) died of respiratory disorder.

In the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome numerous morphological findings will be helpful in diagnosis and therapy.