[Rheumatological aspects of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]

Since 1987, some works have been devoted to rheumatological manifestations appearing during the course of the HIV infection. If neurotropism of this retrovirus explains some misleading pseudo radicular aspects of the disease, sometimes revealing, inflammatory neuro-arthropathies are still under discussion. In Tropical Africa, increase of reactive arthritis of REITER's type seems to be correlated with the present epidemic outbreak. It is also admitted that HIV has a direct arthritic effect. These two facts lead to elaborate several pathogenic hypothesis concerning rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthritis. On the other side, some systemic diseases may appear or be simulated at the occasion of the HIV infection, in particular, some lupoid manifestations. During AIDS, lymphocytic depletion may be at the origin of series of biological abnormalities that have to be known in order to mislead diagnosis.