[Histopathologic study on lymphadenopathy in HIV infected patients]

Histopathologic study on the lymphadenopathy of 38 HIV infected patients in Zambia are reported. The histologic type of lymph node changes might be divided as follows: follicular hyperplasia, mixed follicular hyperplasia, follicular involution, and lymphocyte depletion. The author points out that although each individual histologic change in lymph node is not specific, the summation of changes in lymph node are characteristic. A diagnosis of HIV infection might be considered, and appropriate test is warranted, when histologic changes are found in enlarged lymph nodes at two or more noningunal sites for several months. Lymph node biopsy is recommended and significant in discovering HIV infected cases, making diagnosis of AIDS as well as AIDS-related complex, and evaluation of prognosis of these patients.