[Periarteritis nodosa-type vasculitis and infection with human immunodeficiency virus]

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be responsible for several types of vasculitis: leucocytoclastic vasculitis, granulomatous angiitis, angiitis associated with lymphoproliferative syndromes or necrotizing vasculitis including periarteritis nodosa (PAN). We report a case of PAN in a 62-year old HIV1-positive woman. The patient had no co-occurrent hepatitis B virus infection and was negative for antinuclear antibodies. She presented with sicca syndrome, necrotic purpura, myalgias and polyneuropathy. Skin, muscle and nerve biopsies showed signs of necrotizing vasculitis. Multiple microaneurysms typical of PAN were present on branches of the abdominal aorta. The symptoms due to vasculitis regressed after treatment with corticosteroids in bolus injections and plasmapheresis. AZT was not given owing to intolerance. The literature on vasculitis associated with HIV infection is reviewed.