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The Thyroid in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
Marcus K. Lima1, Leandro L. Freitas, Cristiano Montandon
1MD, PhD.
Endocrine Pathology
|July 13, 2002
Summary
Thyroid involvement is common in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with over 60% showing lesions. Opportunistic infections and lipomatosis were frequent findings, often without clinical symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can affect various organs.
- Thyroid disease is not always clinically apparent in AIDS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and pathological characteristics of thyroid involvement in AIDS patients.
- To investigate the association between thyroid lesions and opportunistic infections in AIDS.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy of 47 thyroid glands from AIDS patients.
- Systematic histological examination of thyroid tissues.
- Analysis of macroscopic and microscopic lesions.
Main Results:
- Thyroid lesions were found in 61.3% of AIDS patients.
- Common lesions included chronic inflammation, mycobacteriosis, colloid goiter, fungal infections, and lipomatosis.
- 29.3% of thyroid involvement was linked to opportunistic infections, with mycobacteria being most common.
- Lipomatosis was a frequent finding (13.7%), higher than previously reported.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid lesions are frequent in AIDS patients, often asymptomatic.
- Opportunistic infections are a significant cause of thyroid pathology in AIDS.
- Lipomatosis is a notable finding in AIDS thyroid pathology.