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Bone marrow pathology in AIDS

Edenilson Eduardo Calore1, Paula Yurie Tanaka, Nilda Maria Perez

  • 1Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectology, Pathology Section, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 165, São Paulo 01246-902, Brazil. calore@uol.com.br

Pathology, Research and Practice
|October 23, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Bone marrow biopsies in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) reveal frequent abnormalities. These findings highlight the importance of bone marrow examination for diagnosing infections and lymphomas in AIDS patients.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Bone marrow morphology often presents abnormalities in patients diagnosed with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
  • The Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectology, a key HIV reference center, served as the study location.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review bone marrow biopsies from AIDS patients to identify the causes of cytopenias, secondary infections, and fever of unknown origin.
  • To determine the diagnostic utility of bone marrow biopsy in the management of complex cases in AIDS patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 97 bone marrow biopsies from AIDS patients conducted between 1998 and 2000.
  • Analysis of biopsy results for specific diagnoses, including fungal infections, mycobacterial infections, lymphomas, and inflammatory patterns.

Main Results:

  • Specific diagnoses were established in 33 cases.
  • Fungal infections (Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans) were identified in 8 cases.
  • Acid-fast bacilli were present in 12 biopsies.
  • Lymphomatous infiltration (non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma) was observed in 6 cases.
  • Necrotic changes, with or without granuloma formation, were noted in 12 cases.

Conclusions:

  • Bone marrow biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying the etiology of cytopenias, secondary infections, and fever of undetermined origin in AIDS patients.
  • The procedure aids in the early detection and management of opportunistic infections and hematologic malignancies in this immunocompromised population.

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