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Skeletal muscle pathology in AIDS: an autopsy study
M A Wrzolek1, J H Sher, P B Kozlowski
1State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn and Kings County Hospital Center.
Muscle & Nerve
|June 1, 1990
Summary
Skeletal muscle pathology is common in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with most cases showing atrophy or myositis. Some muscle changes may be directly linked to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is associated with various opportunistic infections and complications.
- Skeletal muscle involvement is a recognized, though not fully understood, manifestation in AIDS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spectrum and prevalence of skeletal muscle pathology in autopsied cases of AIDS.
- To identify potential etiological factors, including opportunistic infections and the direct/indirect effects of HIV.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy examination of skeletal muscle tissue from 92 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases.
- Microscopic analysis to identify pathological alterations.
Main Results:
- Microscopic muscle alterations were observed in 64 out of 92 cases.
- Common findings included disuse atrophy (40 cases) and denervation atrophy (8 cases).
- Infections like cryptococcal myositis (2 cases) and Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) myositis (1 case) were identified. Necrotizing myopathy associated with hyperkalemia occurred in 2 cases.
- A significant group of cases (16 total) exhibited myopathies (inflammatory, necrotizing, extreme atrophy, regenerating) of unknown etiology, tentatively attributed to HIV.
Conclusions:
- Skeletal muscle pathology is highly prevalent in autopsied AIDS patients.
- While infections and other factors contribute, a notable proportion of myopathies in AIDS may be directly or indirectly caused by HIV.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of HIV-associated myopathies.