Arthritis in HIV

Sanjeev R Ahuja1, Jyotsna Oak, Sulaxna Sawant

  • 1Department of Pediatrics & Medicine, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital & Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, India. drsanjeevahuja73@hotmail.com

Insights

This report details the first pediatric case in India of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection presenting as arthritis. The study highlights a young boy with joint inflammation found to have HIV.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Rheumatological manifestations are recognized in adult Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
  • Arthritis is a known, though less common, presentation in adults with HIV.
  • Limited data exists on HIV-associated rheumatological conditions in children.

Observation:

  • A five-and-a-half-year-old boy presented with arthritis affecting large joints.
  • The child was diagnosed as seropositive for HIV.
  • This case represents a unique pediatric presentation within the Indian context.

Findings:

  • The primary clinical manifestation in this pediatric patient was arthritis.
  • Serological tests confirmed the presence of HIV infection.
  • This case establishes a precedent for HIV presenting as arthritis in children in India.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering HIV in the differential diagnosis of pediatric arthritis, especially in endemic regions.
  • Suggests that rheumatological symptoms can be an early indicator of HIV infection in children.
  • Underscores the need for increased awareness and diagnostic vigilance for HIV in pediatric rheumatology settings in India.

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